Career Desk, Delhi Magazine: With a rich legacy spanning decades, AAFT Noida has emerged as a beacon of excellence in creative education, and Ms. Hena Babu sheds light on what sets the academy apart in today’s competitive landscape. In an exclusive interview with Delhi Magazine, Ms. Hena Babu, Assistant General Manager (AGM) Marketing at the prestigious Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT), Noida, shared valuable insights about the institution’s journey, its cutting-edge programs, and its commitment to nurturing talent in the fields of media, arts, and entertainment.
1. What are your key strengths and how do they contribute to your success as a marketing professional?
In the ever-evolving education landscape, I believe in staying ahead of the curve.As a market leader in the dynamic education sector for more than a decade, my strength lies in the deep understanding of the audience and market of the education sector. My passion is to leverage the latest marketing algorithm to drive engagement and achieve measurable results for the business. I don’t just create campaigns—I design initiatives that align seamlessly with business objectives, ensuring every effort contributes to revenue growth, increased market share, and heightened brand visibility. This strategic approach has been pivotal in achieving measurable success throughout my career. Also by implementing proper Performance marketing advertisement campaigns and social media content, brand videos, YouTube videos, Pr articles and many more etc.
2. What are your thoughts on the future of the film and media industry and how do you see AAFT Noida adapting to these changes?
The film and media industry is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, driven by technological advancements, evolving audience preferences, and new business models. With the proliferation of OTT platforms, AI-powered content creation, and immersive technologies like AR and VR, the industry is embracing a new era of storytelling that is more personalized, interactive, and boundary-pushing than ever before. From offering hands-on training in virtual production and AI-driven editing tools to fostering creativity in digital storytelling and content marketing, AAFT prepares its students to lead in a competitive and dynamic industry.
The School of Cinema at AAFT guarantees mastery of all facets of the cinematic spectrum, from the art of acting that animates characters to the complex skill of directing that shapes storylines with vision and originality. Moreover, our focus on industry partnerships and real-world exposure ensures that its graduates remain in sync with global trends and market demands. It is backed by the Indian film industry with famous bollywood directors and actors like Anthony D Souza, Pankaj Parashar, Luv Ranjan, Gurmeet Singh, etc. giving workshops and live masterclasses.
As of now, AAFT has done more than 2000+ interactions with national and international filmmakers and hosted 17+ Global Film Festivals over the years.
3. How do you differentiate AAFT Noida from its competitors in the film and media education market?
AAFT Noida has carved a niche for itself as a leader in film and media education. With over 30 years of legacy, AAFT has a strong reputation for academic rigor and creative excellence, attracting students and industry collaborators alike. Their programs are not only rooted in the fundamentals of filmmaking and media but are also adapted to evolving industry trends. From traditional disciplines like direction and cinematography to modern fields like virtual production, AI-driven editing, and digital marketing, the institution ensures its students are future-ready. The institution’s collaborations with leading production houses, media organizations, and organizes their global festivals create unparalleled opportunities for students.
Our distinguished alumni include renowned personalities like filmmaker Luv Ranjan, director Gurmeet Singh, actress Hasleen Kaur, and Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, among many others. We support our students with a robust Career Resource Cell (CRC) for recruitment and placement, as well as a Career Acceleration Program to enhance their professional journey.
AAFT is proud to partner with leading corporations and media entities like Adobe, Wizcraft Mime, NSDC, etc for recruitment, ensuring our students gain real-world exposure. What truly sets us apart is our collaboration with industry leaders as deans for various schools, bridging the gap between academia and industry. Notable names include Rina Dhaka for the School of Fashion & Design, SunitaKohli for Interior Design, Varun Inamdar for Hospitality and Tourism, KavereeBamzai for Journalism & Mass Communication, Rohit Chawla for Still Photography, Charuvi P. Agrawal for Animation, and Grammy Award-winning music producer NikkhilBeri for the School of Music. These affiliations provide students with unparalleled industry insights and mentorship, making AAFT a unique and dynamic institution for aspiring professionals.
4. Describe your preferred leadership style and how you motivate and mentor your team.
As a leader, I believe in fostering a collaborative, empowering, and results-driven environment. I trust my team to take ownership of their responsibilities while equipping them with the necessary tools, guidance, and resources to succeed. This approach fosters creativity and accountability, driving motivation and innovation within the team. I strive to create a safe and inclusive space where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, feedback, and concerns openly. Motivation flourishes when individuals understand the purpose behind their work. I ensure my team aligns with broader organizational goals and recognizes how their contributions drive collective success, instilling pride and a deep sense of purpose in their efforts.
5. In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing the Indian film and media industry today, and how can educational institutions like AAFT Noida prepare students to succeed in this evolving landscape?
The Indian film and media industry is undergoing seismic shifts due to technological advancements, changing consumer behaviours, and globalization. Advancements in AI, AR, VR, virtual production, and post-production tools are revolutionizing the industry. AAFT Noida provides hands-on training in cutting-edge technologies, offering courses on virtual production, AI-assisted filmmaking, and immersive storytelling.
OTT platforms and digital streaming services have reshaped how content is created, distributed, and consumed. This shift has introduced fierce competition, increased demand for diverse content, and disrupted traditional revenue models. Our courses focus on monetization strategies, analytics, and multi-platform storytelling that enables students to succeed in the digital-first era. With increasing competition from global content creators, AAFT fosters global perspectives through international collaborations, exchange programs, and exposure to global filmmaking techniques.
In my opinion, the Indian film and media industry is experiencing significant challenges, with emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and automation, and a thrust toward the digital and OTT platforms requiring new knowledge and skill sets. AAFT Noida is important in addressing all these issues at the very onset through coursework that broadens the horizons of the students with the emerging technologies like AR/VR and AI for the industry requirements, and teaches creativity through hands-on education. AAFT prepares students for the fast-changing environment of Indian media and entertainment with industry deans, global exposure, internships, and placements.