Vardo Films is based in London and develops, directs and produces documentaries and fiction films for international audiences.
Vardo Films was established in 2010 by Dheeraj Akolkar. Two of the recent films he wrote, directed and co-produced, Liv & Ingmar (2012) and Let the Scream Be Heard (2013) have released theatrically in nine countries, shown in over 70 international film festivals and sold for further distribution in 95 countries so far.
In the past, Dheeraj has worked extensively in the Indian film industry on various films such as Lagaan (Academy Award Nominee 2001), Devdas (Cannes Showcase 2002, BAFTA nominated 2003), Charas: A Joint Effort, Sala Bandar (Official Selection Rotterdam 2004, nominated Best Short Film Edinburgh 2004) and Black (Time magazine's fifth best film of the year 2006).
As a writer, director, cinematographer and producer of short films, his work includes Jyotirgamaya: Lead Me To The Light (IDPA Awards for Excellence 2005: Best Script and Best Editing), Whatever! (ICE 2006 2nd Best Film of the Festival), Sold My Soul (Official Selection Clermont Ferrand 2007) and Asylum (Official Selection Rotterdam 2010).
Dheeraj completed an MA in Feature Film with distinction from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2007. In the year 2000, Dheeraj topped bachelor of architecture from University of Pune, India to become a qualified architect.
Currently, Dheeraj is working on a slate of international films in various stages of development and production, set between the UK, US, Scandinavia, South Africa and India. He is also the founder of a charity called Grassroots Stories in London, which specialises in making films that inspire social change.