Roop Dattaram Naik

Born in Bombay, Roop Datta Naik inherited rhythm before he learned craft — his father, N. Datta, scored some of Hindi cinema's most enduring melodies.

Thirty years into his own career, that inheritance shows. His films move like songs — cut to the beat of the word, framed to the phrase of the melody. As founder of Zip Zaap Zoom Production, he has conceptualised, written and directed more than a thousand advertising films, shaping the on-screen identity of brands across entertainment, finance and everyday Indian life.

Along the way he has earned a quieter reputation — for drawing effortless, unguarded performances from the most recognisable faces in the country, take after take, campaign after campaign.