Kovid Mittal Interview
Q. You wear many hats as an actor, director, engineer, author, and founder of creative ventures. How do you define your core identity today, and what came first the creative instinct or the analytical mindset?
My core identity today is that of a problem-solver who uses creativity as a tool, not an impulse. At the foundation, I am a mechanical engineer, and that training fundamentally shaped how I think.
Before I take on any project, my analytical mindset activates first: understanding structure, feasibility, systems, and outcomes. Creativity then becomes a multiplier, not a gamble.
While pursuing engineering, I entered the world of modeling and acting. In 2009, I won Mr. Youth Bangalore and went on to represent India at Mr. Youth Asia in Thailand, where I was also appointed brand ambassador for two global brands. That phase gave me confidence and visibility, but more importantly, it exposed me to professional production environments at a very young age.
By the time I completed my engineering degree, I had already worked on over 100 advertisements, shows, and campaigns. Being on set repeatedly taught me what truly makes a project succeed—strong storytelling, intelligent lighting, the right cinematographer, technically sound editing, and music that elevates emotion.
I wasn’t just performing; I was observing, deconstructing, and learning the mechanics behind impactful visual communication.
That combination of engineering logic and on-ground creative experience led me to found KM Media & Productions. Today, it stands as one of India’s leading advertising and film production agencies because we don’t rely on intuition alone, we build cinematic experiences through process, precision, and purpose.
So to answer directly: the analytical mindset came first. Creativity was then consciously layered on top of it. That balance allows me to consistently deliver work that is not only visually compelling, but also strategically effective, whether for brands, platforms, or audiences seeking a larger-than-life cinematic experience.
Q. Growing up in a defence family and starting as an engineer before entering modeling and films, how did your upbringing shape your values and career choices?
I grew up in a defence family, my father served in the Indian Air Force, and that upbringing shaped everything about who I am today. Waking up at 5 a.m., moving cities every three years, and constantly adapting to new cultures, schools, and environments became a way of life very early on.
It taught me one core lesson: life keeps changing, and the ability to adapt decides your survival and success.
Like most defence families, we lived on disciplined, limited budgets. That taught me financial responsibility from a young age, how to manage resources wisely and deliver maximum output with whatever was available. It later became crucial when I started building my own ventures.
Academics were a top priority. At that time, if you weren’t a doctor or an engineer, you weren’t taken seriously, so excellence wasn’t optional. Alongside that, competition was intense. I became a national-level swimmer and a karate black belt, which instilled resilience, discipline, and mental toughness.
Most importantly, that environment made me emotionally independent. It taught me how to stay grounded, handle pressure, and keep moving forward no matter the circumstances. Those values continue to guide my choices- across engineering, films, and entrepreneurship—and remain the foundation of everything I do.
Q. What was the moment or the idea that made you start KM Media & Productions and Get High On Music and how do these platforms reflect your mission as a storyteller?
The moment I started KM Media & Productions and Get High On Music came from a very clear realization, I have a distinct way of seeing and telling stories, and I wasn’t willing to dilute that vision.
I’ve always been deeply particular about aesthetics, depth, and emotional impact. When I watch films or content, I instinctively see what’s missing in the storytelling, and I knew I needed platforms where quality would never be compromised.
Get High On Music reflects that philosophy clearly. Every music video under the label is treated like a short film, and many have gone on to win awards at international film festivals. I’ve been approached by major television networks and large banners to direct long-format projects, but I’ve turned them down because I only commit when the story truly convinces me.
The same integrity defines my documentary work. My “How to Reach Everest” franchise, streaming on Amazon Prime, helped put Indian documentary filmmaking on a global platform and received strong international recognition.
Today, I’m working on both a Hollywood and a Punjabi film based on a true story, we’ve done a soft trailer launch, and the response has been overwhelming, with viewers genuinely getting goosebumps.
At the core, both platforms exist for one reason: to tell stories that stay with people long after the screen goes dark. That’s the mission I’ve never been willing to compromise on, and never will.
Q. You've explored themes like biohacking. How do you integrate self-improvement or biological optimization into your creative workflow and everyday life?
Biohacking, to me, is not a trend, it’s the future of longevity and high performance. I realized this very clearly once I crossed 30. The body no longer responds the way it does in your twenties, and if you don’t intervene consciously, decline becomes the default.
Biohacking is simply about taking control early, instead of reacting late. I’ve already authored a book on biohacking that’s available on Amazon Kindle, and I’m currently working on the second, expanded edition, scheduled for release by March 2026.
My goal is to create a practical, no-nonsense guide for people who want to stay energetic, sharp, and youthful while aging gracefully. It’s written for real life, not for labs.
I’m not a doctor, and I never position myself as one. What I share are lifestyle-based optimization frameworks that I personally follow and have refined over years, covering sleep, nutrition timing, gut health, movement, recovery, and environmental inputs.
Every month, tens of thousands of people reach out to me for guidance, and many report measurable improvements in energy, focus, metabolic health, skin, hair health, and overall well-being after making consistent lifestyle changes.
One thing I’m very clear about: this is not a 30-day fix. Biohacking works only when it becomes a lifestyle. Small, repeatable interventions—like intelligent hydration routines, sleep optimization, grounding, bone-broth-based nutrition, and micronutrient timing—compound over time.
These changes don’t just improve health; they directly enhance my creative output. My clarity, stamina, emotional regulation, and decision-making are dramatically better today, which reflects in my work as a filmmaker and entrepreneur. When your biology is optimized, creativity flows with far less resistance.
That’s why I integrate biohacking into my everyday life and creative workflow—it allows me to operate at a higher level consistently, not occasionally. And that’s exactly what I help others build as well: sustainable performance, not short-term motivation.
Q. In an era where digital content is fast and fleeting, how do you balance artistic integrity with commercial viability, especially in music videos and films?
In an era where content is fast and fleeting, I believe artistic integrity is what ultimately creates commercial value. Trends may deliver momentary visibility, but stories with depth create longevity. My approach has always been to balance emotion with intent, and craft with strategy.
Before starting any project, I focus on clarity—who the audience is, what emotion the story should leave behind, and how it aligns with the artist’s or brand’s long-term identity. Once that foundation is clear, creativity flows freely but never randomly. I design content to engage instantly, yet stay with the viewer long after it ends.
That philosophy is reflected across my work. Projects like Black Peak, At 23,000 Feet, Meri Maa, and Labon Se Baarish are all deeply thought-provoking narratives. They were never created just to chase numbers, yet they went on to win awards and receive strong critical recognition, proving that when integrity leads, commerce follows.
I treat music videos and films as cinematic experiences, regardless of format or length. At the same time, I’m fully aware of market realities—platform algorithms, audience attention spans, and distribution strategies are built into my storytelling process from day one.
I don’t chase virality; I build impact. Commercial viability comes from creating work that audiences respect, connect with emotionally, and remember. In today’s digital economy, that balance, between meaning and market sense, is what turns content into culture. And that is the balance I bring to every project I take on.
Q. Your projects often blend visual storytelling with music. What do you think makes a music video truly memorable beyond the song itself?
A music video becomes truly memorable when it adds meaning to the song instead of merely decorating it. Beyond the melody, what stays with the audience is the emotion, the visual subtext, and the story that allows them to feel the music rather than just hear it.
At Get High On Music, we believe a music video should function like a short film—where visuals amplify the soul of the song. Every frame, performance, cut, and musical pause is designed to deepen the listener’s connection. When the storytelling is honest, the song lives longer in the audience’s mind.
What also sets our label apart is our philosophy. Today’s music industry is largely driven by money—pay for promotions, run ads, buy visibility, and fame follows. We consciously chose a different path. We do not run YouTube ads on our releases. Everything we build is organic, because we genuinely believe that talent deserves to survive on merit, not budgets.
Get High On Music is an open platform for artists with real substance—regardless of background, connections, or financial muscle. If the music is honest and the artist is committed, they have a home with us. That integrity reflects in our content and is why many of our music videos resonate deeply and go on to receive critical and festival recognition.
In the long run, algorithms change and promotions fade, but authenticity compounds. A memorable music video is one that respects the audience’s intelligence, honors the artist’s voice, and tells a story worth revisiting. That belief is at the core of everything we create at Get High On Music.
Q. As someone with a technical background (engineering) and creative pursuits, how does one discipline inform the other in your work?
My engineering background gives structure to my creativity, and my creative work gives purpose to my technical thinking. I approach films and music the way an engineer approaches systems—breaking ideas down into components, optimizing every element, and eliminating inefficiency. That allows me to execute ambitious creative visions with precision and consistency.
Creativity, on the other hand, prevents my analytical mindset from becoming rigid. It pushes me to take bold risks, imagine beyond logic, and build experiences that move people emotionally. The intersection of both is where my work lives, where imagination is executed with discipline, and vision is delivered with reliability.
That balance allows me to think big, build efficiently, and scale ideas without losing soul. It’s the same mindset that drives innovators and performers who redefine industries, combining logic with fearlessness to create the future, not just react to it.
Q. Leading multiple teams across film, production, and music what's your philosophy on nurturing creative talent and maintaining a collaborative culture?
My philosophy is simple: talent thrives where there is trust, clarity, and respect for craft. Whether it’s film, production, or music, creativity cannot be commanded; it has to be nurtured within the right environment.
I focus first on creating psychological safety. People do their best work when they know their ideas will be heard, challenged constructively, and never dismissed casually. At the same time, I set very high standards. Freedom without discipline leads to chaos; discipline without freedom kills creativity. The balance of both is where excellence is born.
Collaboration, for me, is not about hierarchy, it’s about shared ownership. I involve my teams deeply in the storytelling process so everyone understands not just what we are creating, but why we are creating it. When the purpose is clear, alignment follows naturally.
I also believe in investing in people, not just projects. At KM Media & Productions and Get High On Music, we actively open doors for talent that may not come with privilege or budgets, but comes with hunger and integrity. Growth is mutual, when the team evolves, the work evolves.
Ultimately, my role as a leader is to protect creative integrity while enabling people to operate at their highest potential. When individuals feel respected, challenged, and inspired, collaboration stops being a process and becomes a culture. That culture is the foundation on which everything we build stands.
Q. Your Instagram and projects highlight sincere emotional themes (like Meri Maa). How do you gauge what emotions or stories will resonate with your audience?
I believe the audience today is far more evolved, especially post-COVID. People have lived through uncertainty, loss, isolation, and reflection. They no longer connect with exaggerated heroism or surface-level spectacle. What they seek now is truth—stories that feel lived-in, vulnerable, and emotionally honest.
When I gauge what will resonate, I don’t start with trends or algorithms. I start by asking a simple question: Does this feel real? If an emotion is genuine, universal, and rooted in everyday human experience, it will always find its audience. Films like Meri Maa work because everyone, regardless of background, understands love, sacrifice, fear of loss, and gratitude.
I observe people closely—their silences, their struggles, the way they cope rather than perform. Real emotions are subtle. They don’t shout. And when you capture them with sincerity, they create a deeper, longer-lasting impact than any spectacle ever could.
Post-pandemic, the audience doesn’t want to watch a hero beating twenty people on screen. They want to see themselves—their parents, their relationships, their fears, and their hope. My responsibility as a storyteller is to respect that intelligence and never underestimate their emotional depth.
If a story can make someone pause, reflect, or quietly feel something they couldn’t express before, I know it will resonate. That emotional honesty is what guides every project I choose to tell, and why those stories continue to find genuine connection with audiences.
I request everyone to watch my project 'The Kashmir Song' & 'Awaara Hoon'. I can write in my blood that not even an established director can curate it in the budget we filmed.
Q. Can you share a failure or setback that ultimately taught you something vital about your craft or your mindset?
I was cheated by a school and college owner in Bangalore who called me his “son” and promised a Punjabi remake of a Kannada film. I arranged music, locations, actors—eight months of my life gone—only for him to make the film with his own son and my team. Karma hit him; the film flopped in Marathi.
Later, a line production guy from Delhi stole ₹2.5 lakh from my song “Tu Mere Liye Bana Hai”. I had to spend my own money to complete it. The only lesson? Never pay anyone without a legal contract. God sees everything, and justice always comes.
Q. How do you see independent music and short visual storytelling evolving in India over the next 5 years and what role do you want to play in that evolution?
In the next five years, AI will replace a lot—small-time editors, VFX artists, even storyboarders. But one thing it cannot replace is honesty in storytelling. Only the most genuine, fearless, and creative directors and cinematographers will survive.
I urge everyone to watch my film Kanke Mental Asylum, my music videos, and documentary films—you’ll see what real, honest storytelling feels like. This is the future that will thrive. No shortcuts. No gimmicks. Just truth, vision, and craft.
Q. If you had to choose one song to describe your life's journey so far. What would it be and why?
Ah, that’s a tough one. Honestly, I feel like all of them tell my story. From the freezing heights of Kashmir and Manali to the scorching beaches of Kerala, every music video I’ve made, over 75 of them, is a piece of my heart.
I’ve poured my soul into every frame, every note. I promise, if you watch them, you’ll connect to a part of me- my struggles, my passion, my journey. It’s more than music—it’s my life, raw and unfiltered. Still to pick one 'Awaara Hoon'. Its honest & pure.
Bio:
Kovid Mittal is an actor, model, filmmaker, and entrepreneur driven by discipline and creative ambition. Born into an Indian Air Force family, he grew up with values of resilience and focus. While studying Mechanical Engineering in Bangalore, he entered modeling and rose to prominence by winning Mr. Youth Bangalore and later being crowned Asia’s Most Handsome Man at Mr. Youth Asia.
His career spans national advertising campaigns, fashion, and film. He made his acting debut with the short film Last Birthday (2019) and gained widespread recognition for his performance in Babbu Maan’s Meri Maa, nominated at the Dada Saheb Phalke Awards.
A karate black belt and national-level swimmer, Kovid also pioneered high-altitude filmmaking with 6387 Meters: Black Peak, which won Best Travel Documentary at the Canadian Film Festival. Through KM Media & Productions and his music label Get High On Music, he continues to push Indian storytelling onto the global stage.
Interviewed by: Nidhi
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