Manya (she/her) is a Director’s Assistant and Certified Intimacy Coordinator working predominantly within the Indian OTT landscape. She pursued her BA in Directing & Screenwriting from The New School of Media Studies (NYC). As a DA, Manya has worked on multiple shows that are available on platforms including Netflix, Prime & Disney+Hotstar.

While filming her final thesis, Manya was introduced to the specialization of intimacy coordination and was able to experience the benefits and efficiency of having such an important crew member on her team. This immediately drew her to learn more about this role and eventually complete her certification as a full fledged IC.

Her experiences in this space thus far have only proven to Manya and those who have worked with her, that in an ever changing industry, we regularly find ourselves more and more in need of intimacy professionals.

Taking on this dual role has allowed Manya to combine her knowledge and love of filmmaking with her desire to build stories and worlds that not only adhere to but also celebrate the rights & freedoms of individuals to an effective blend of consent, sensuality and bold storytelling. According to Manya, “As a filmmaker, to be able to elevate a set and help build a space where it is ensured that every individual feels safe, confident and heard, is an absolute joy and privilege.”