Praneet Akilla, a multifaceted individual of Indian-Canadian descent, has carved out a remarkable presence in the entertainment realm through his diverse range of skills as an actor and producer. His remarkable accomplishments have garnered widespread recognition, with a notable highlight being his portrayal of leading characters in several prominent television shows. Among his most notable credits are his starring roles in The CW's Nancy Drew, Disney Freeform's Motherland Fort Salem, and Netflix's October Faction.
Praneet's impressive acting abilities have garnered widespread recognition as a series lead on the Canadian Screen Award-nominated medical drama Skymed, which airs on both CBC Gem and Paramount Plus. This notable achievement is a testament to his remarkable talent and dedication to his craft.
Throughout the past three years, Praneet has demonstrated his versatility and adaptability by successfully transitioning into the realm of producing. He has founded his own production company, Akilla Express, through which he has brought to life a diverse array of critically acclaimed short films and digital series.
Praneet's production company is committed to crafting innovative, boundary-pushing narratives that emanate from a Third Culture Global Majority standpoint, thereby injecting a refreshing and diverse dynamic into the industry's fabric.
Praneet has not only produced but also taken on the lead role in the highly acclaimed short film "Mom vs Machine", a project that has garnered a remarkable six Leo nominations, including the prestigious Best Short Drama award.
Praneet's short film made its debut on the Sci-Fi Streaming Platform DUST in the year 2023, marking a significant milestone in the filmmaker's career. The film has since been showcased at a multitude of renowned film festivals, including the esteemed Fantasia Film Festival, the Whistler Film Festival, the Reelworld Film Festival, and the Brooklyn Horror Festival, further solidifying Praneet's reputation as a talented and innovative filmmaker.
In addition to this notable achievement, Praneet has also ventured into producing another short film, titled "Not For Us", which was generously funded by Telus. This film premiered at the Whistler Film Festival in 2023 and garnered a nomination for Best After Dark Short Film at the Vancouver Short Film Festival, a testament to Praneet's dedication to his craft and his ability to produce high-quality, engaging content.
Praneet, a multifaceted individual, is actively engaged in various creative pursuits beyond his film endeavors. He is currently collaborating with 100 Dragons Media Inc. to develop a television adaptation of the highly acclaimed Canadian novel, Junie, which promises to captivate audiences with its unique blend of storytelling and cinematic flair.
In addition to this ambitious project, Praneet is also working on a new comedy-musical series, Raksha, which has garnered significant funding from esteemed organizations such as the IPF and Canada Media Fund.
Praneet, a newly minted graduate from the prestigious National Screen Institute of Canada's esteemed Access BIPOC Producers program, has demonstrated a profound dedication to sharing a wide range of narratives and championing inclusivity within the entertainment sector.
