Vishal Punjabi, popularly known as The Wedding Filmer, has become one of India’s most acclaimed names in wedding videography. However, long before founding his celebrated production company, Punjabi spent a decade working with Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, where he gained invaluable experience that shaped his creative journey.
A decade at Red Chillies
Punjabi, who served as a line producer for Farah Khan’s 2004 blockbuster Main Hoon Na, recently opened up about his early years in the film industry. Speaking about the experience, he described working with Farah Khan as both challenging and transformative.
“She was a strict taskmaster but also incredibly funny and full of brilliant ideas,” Vishal shared. “She made me develop a very thick skin when we worked together. I have been beaten by her a lot, but I also learned so much from her. I knew nothing about filmmaking. She gave me a break and taught me how to do a shoot,” he said, adding that Farah didn’t have to help him, given her access to the best talent in the industry.
Lessons from SRK’s kindness
Punjabi also credited Shah Rukh Khan for shaping his professional values. Reflecting on his time at Red Chillies, he recalled the actor-producer’s kindness and thoughtfulness toward his crew. “There were delicious free lunches in the studio, and it saved us a lot of money and time,” he said. “I learned how to ensure your crew is paid well and creatively motivated. I learned that from him. I try to do my best with people who work with me.”
Punjabi admitted that these early experiences taught him not just the craft of filmmaking but also the importance of empathy, generosity, and leadership in running a creative team — values he now applies in his own company, The Wedding Filmer, which revolutionised Indian wedding cinematography with its cinematic storytelling style.
Farah Khan’s new chapter
Meanwhile, Farah Khan, once among Bollywood’s most celebrated choreographers and directors, has shifted focus in recent years. Currently on a directorial hiatus, she has reinvented herself as a digital content creator. Known for her infectious humour and candid persona, Farah has built a strong presence on YouTube and reality television, where her cooking vlogs have become hugely popular. Her chef, Dilip, has even become an internet sensation in his own right, frequently appearing alongside her in videos that blend food, fun, and celebrity cameos.
Farah continues to remain one of the most recognisable personalities in Indian entertainment, admired for her versatility, warmth, and effortless wit.