Aakash Prabhakar: Crafting Stories, Inspiring Creativity

The Journey of Aakash Prabhakar and Here & Now

Aakash Prabhakar, founder of Here & Now Productions, is a visionary actor, filmmaker, and theatre director with over a decade of experience in crafting compelling narratives. His journey began with the establishment of Here & Now in 2016, a theatre and film production company based in Mumbai, driven by the vision of presenting relatable stories on stage and screen. With a strong foundation from The Drama School Mumbai and the New York Film Academy, Aakash has seamlessly blended formal training with hands-on experience, producing over 50 theatre productions and acclaimed films like Freddie’s Piano, which earned international recognition. His first production, Crumpled - A Compilation of Imperfect Love Stories, performed over 25 shows across the country, marking the start of an illustrious career.

Here & Now has since grown into a dynamic creative hub, curating plays for art spaces, producing corporate films, ads, and a feature film, while also organizing workshops and training programs in acting, theatre-making, and performance arts. Aakash’s philosophy of capturing authentic, emotional moments extends to his work and teaching, inspiring creative learning through workshops for IB schools, colleges, and aspiring artists. With collaborations spanning schools, brands, and organizations, Aakash and Here & Now have nurtured new talent, engaged diverse audiences, and shared thought-provoking, relatable stories that foster a profound love for the arts.

Aakash recently completed acting in his next feature — the official Indian adaptation of Richard Linklater’s Tape, originally starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Robert Sean Leonard. He also stars in Memories of a Kiss, a 2025 featurette produced by Uncombed Buddha Films, which will premiere at the New York Indian Film Festival in June 2025.
His stage career is equally prolific. Aakash has directed, produced, and performed in over 50 theatre productionsacross India. His notable works include:
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Tape by Stephen Belber – Premiered at NCPA Mumbai (2022)
Visiting Mr. Green by Jeff Baron – NCPA Mumbai (2019)
Cock and Bull by Mike Bartlett – Lead actor and producer
Salt by Dawn King – Directed for NCPA’s Connections Edition One & Two
Crumpled – Winner of Best Script and Best Actor at the Short + Sweet Festival, Chennai
The Drum Roll, What Goes Around, and other award-winning productions
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In addition to his feature films and theatre work, Aakash has written, directed, and acted in several acclaimed shorts and music videos:
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The Long Drive – Premiered on Zee5
The Connection – Produced by Quint Neon
What Are the Odds, First Last Date, Pehle Tum – For Terribly Tiny Tales
Aye Aye – Music video for NH7 Weekender
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His work consistently explores emotional depth, cultural nuance, and formal experimentation—earning him recognition as a bold, versatile voice in contemporary Indian storytelling.
Aakash Prabhakar now seeks to expand his creative journey internationally by collaborating with global artists, participating in film residencies, and developing projects across both theatre and cinema in the United States.