ideator and futurist
Urvashi's life’s journey has been focused on SBCC and how it can work towards bringing in social change. She has been at the forefront of creating ground-breaking BCC for building awareness and ensuring equitable justice for the girl child and women. She created, produced, and directed a PSA on ‘the right age of marriage for the girl child’ and defined masculinity in a new way through that film. She also helmed the nationally renowned ‘Paheli ki Saheli’ campaign on menstruation for UNICEF. Many campaigns were designed under her of which the Right to Education, Census 2011, and National Population Register comes straight to mind. Her professional life has been spent majorly on projects impacting people while working for organizations like Marie Stopes Foundation, JWT’s Social Practice and DDB Mudra Group. She has been awarded for work done under her guidance by Effies for the Red Ribbon Express and Paheli ki Saheli (both projects done for UNICEF). She has won awards at the AME Asia, New York Festival and Abby’s for both these projects and a Zinc -ORS campaign for WJCF. She has been awarded the Laadli award for a project on the age of marriage for girls. Besides founding Storytellers, she has created a girl gang that shares her zeal to change the world for the better for women. Her acumen for building SBCC campaigns was demonstrated in the areas of addressing stigma that TB sufferers are subjected to for ABT Associates, USAID, and Government of India. The BCC campaign so designed was instrumental in the production of 7PSAs in video format for national broadcast. As COVID-19 struck she admirably helmed her team that worked in documenting the vaccination campaign that was implemented by the Government of Madhya Pradesh. She has undertaken many projects in the realm of documentation of best practices. Projects like, designing and developing content for annual reports for Plan International, designing annual report and website for Lotus petal foundation, COVID Vaccination campaign documentation for JSI and the Government of India in 18 states, and Malnutrition and Anemia management in Madhya Pradesh for WJCF. She has also worked on projects like Male Engagement on Nutrition and Contraception for PCI Global, a multi-media campaign on vaccine hesitancy during COVID for the Government of Punjab and the Fortification of Rice project for Nutrition International. Having guided the documentation for UNICEF child protection work for COVID Orphans, she is now doing the same in early childhood development or ECD for UNICEF as well as steering projects on TB for the Union. When she finds time, she visits colleges around the country lecturing students who listen with rapt attention her experiences in practicing the various tenets of BCC.
Thinker and Mentor
Soumitra has more than three decades of experience in agencies like D’Cunha, iB&w, Madison, Havas Group, Contract and DDB Mudra Group. As President DDB Remedy he worked in diverse areas of development communications ranging from education to contraception to girl child rights to immunization to sanitation. In 2015 along with Urvashi he founded ‘Storytellers’. He is passionate about everything that involves storytelling and is an ardent believer of SBCC and its ability of providing interesting solutions to mitigate social issues. At DDB, he was one of the most ardent supporters of BCC as an important tool for developing communication strategies for brands and issues. He was recognized as an expert with the tool that DDB had created in applying BCC strategies for building brands and promoting awareness and behaviour change in issue-led communication. As a co-founder of Storytellers, he continued on this journey of gathering knowledge and practice on the various SBCC models and also began to gain confidence in related sciences like human-centered design and neurosciences from a behavioural economics lens. He has worked with the team on many ground-breaking projects that are now considered as milestones in the development communication landscape. He is a great believer in needs-assessment and prototype pre-testing studies and is also a step ahead in diving to the depths of any project to understand the real challenges that audiences may face. He enjoys the process of unearthing insights immensely and ensures rigour and discipline in research amongst his team members. His vision with Storytellers is to provide expertise related to SBCC, human-centered design, and neuroscience/behavioural economics-based tools and use them to create storytelling as its primary product. He has worked with his team at Storytellers while they collaborated with IDFC Institute and government of Punjab in the area of vaccine awareness for Covid-19, Clinton Health Access Initiative in the area of sexual and reproductive health, PCI in the area of men’s involvement in nutrition and family planning, and Aga Khan Foundation in the area of enabling childhood education.
Behavior Addict & Change Expert
Kalyani Rajan has over 20 years’ experience as a social and behaviour change communication specialist having worked on numerous issues in India and the SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka). She has worked in the broad areas of health, water and sanitation, education and protection using behavioural insights and human-centered design approaches to solve challenging humanitarian and development problems/challenges. In her illustrious career, she has led several public health emergency and disease outbreak interventions in India including Polio, H5N1, Zika Virus, HIV, and AIDS in 360-degree communication formats. She has had deep involvement with an extensive range of issues which cover reproductive, maternal, and child health, immunization and preventive healthcare, family planning, adolescent health, NCDs, health sector reforms, water, sanitation and hygiene, gender equity, protection against violence on women and children, education, water conservation, environment protection, etc. Prestigious project partners include UNICEF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, FHI360, UN Women, John Hopkins University Centre for Communication Programmes, Water & Sanitation Programme, etc. At Storytellers she brings her specialist tag in strategic planning and design with deep knowledge of research practices and behavioral insights that gives an in-depth understanding of stakeholders and audiences in their environment leading to effective communication. she ensures with the aid of proven strategic planning processes including scientific behaviour change models, human-centered design approaches, and theories of stimulus-response to motivate in favour of behaviour and attitudinal change. She is a close partner and collaborator with the creative team at Storytellers collaborating with them from development of the brief and giving direction to the approach and guidance along with the process of development and judgement of creatives in terms of achieving the objectives of the program.
Consultant – Social & Behavior Change | MEL | Program Strategy
Andy Bhanot is a seasoned strategist and evaluator with over 40 years of experience in social and behavior change communication (SBCC), monitoring and evaluation (MEL), and human-centered program design. His expertise lies in using behavioral science and co-creation methodologies to design and scale interventions that shift norms, attitudes, and practices in the areas of public health, gender equity, nutrition, and sanitation. Andy has held senior leadership roles at Project Concern International, BBC Media Action, Westat, and Abt Associates, where he has led multidisciplinary teams and large-scale programs funded by the Gates Foundation, USAID, and DFID across India, South Asia, and Africa.
Among his standout contributions are the award-winning drama series Chatkarey Zindagi Ke and immersive digital tools like videobots and mobile games that were scaled across Bihar, impacting over ten million rural households. His work on male engagement in child nutrition and family planning has pioneered new approaches to reach men in patriarchal settings. He has also contributed to landmark evaluations of national campaigns like Swachh Bharat Mission and mHealth innovations like Mobile Kunji and Kilkari.
Andy’s storytelling lens combines quantitative rigour with human insight — designing participatory tools, vignettes, and digital experiences that resonate with hard-to-reach audiences. A trusted advisor to governments, donors, and implementing agencies, Andy also serves on editorial boards and teaches research and communication at top management institutes.
At Storytellers, he brings a rare blend of creative instinct and evidence-based precision — helping craft narratives that don't just inform but inspire action and system-level change. Whether it's building a theory of change or shaping a multimedia campaign, Andy’s approach is grounded, empathetic, and impact-driven.
Consumer Insights Weaver
Anjali likes to begin with the why. Why people behave the way they do. Why a story lands, or fails to. Why a brand connects—or doesn’t.
With a Master’s in Business Economics from Delhi University and a BA (Hons) in Economics from Lady Shri Ram College, she brings a rare mix of curiosity, clarity, and deep analytical grounding to her work. Over nearly three decades, Anjali has explored human behaviour from both sides of the spectrum—brands and development—and has helped shape some of the most trusted names in the business.
She has worked with companies like HUL, ITC, P&G, Nestle, Tata, GSK, Reckitt, Pfizer, Star, Zee, NDTV, BBC and consulted on public health and social issues with partners like UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and others. Her expertise spans FMCG, healthcare, media, finance, dairy, and social research—always rooted in what people need, feel, and respond to.
Anjali’s strength lies in her ability to translate complex research into clear, actionable insights. Whether it’s brand equity, U&A, segmentation, concept testing or communication diagnostics, she brings rigour, empathy, and storytelling together.
Before joining Storytellers, she held senior roles at IMRB, Nielsen, PQR, Kadence, and Karvy Insights. Today, she continues to ask sharp questions, listen deeply, and help brands and changemakers see what their audiences are truly saying.
RELATIONSHIP ANCHOR | VISIONARY PROJECT LEADER
Meet Chandamita Barman, the visionary project leader at Storytellers who stands at the helm of the team. With over 15 years of experience in the realm of communication projects, Chandamita's journey has been one of transformation and impact. Her expertise not only spans across diverse brand categories but also delves into critical areas like contraception awareness and promotion, where she has spearheaded initiatives by PSI and WJCF. Chandamita's leadership prowess shines through her role as a captain, where she orchestrates teams to create behavior change communication (BCC) that resonates with end-consumers and patients. Her ingenuity extends to crafting communication aids that empower providers to offer tailored solutions to their patients, and even developing cutting-edge digital solutions that seamlessly bridge the physical and virtual worlds. With a proven track record of success, Chandamita has earned the admiration of clients like UNICEF, PCI, JSI, ABT Associates, Aga Khan Foundation, Nutrition International, WJCF, and The Union, among other esteemed organizations. As the 'Chief Relationship Anchor' at Storytellers, she exemplifies the essence of a relationship builder par excellence. Her ability to foster connections and anchor the team ensures that projects are executed flawlessly, aligning timelines and quality with the mutual vision of clients and Storytellers. Chandamita's leadership goes beyond project management. She embodies the spirit of a true visionary, navigating challenges with grace and turning them into opportunities for growth. Her commitment to achieving transformative results through meaningful communication has solidified her reputation as a Relationship Anchor who not only strengthens the bonds between Storytellers and clients but also paves the way for impactful narratives that shape the world.
(BCC CREATIVE THINKER) CRAFTING IMMERSIVE NARRATIVES TO ENRICH LIVES
Meet Kundan Chakrabarty, the mastermind behind captivating and soul-stirring storytelling at Storytellers. Embracing Ralph Waldo Emerson's timeless advice to leave a positive impact on the world, Kundan has chosen the art of storytelling as his tool for transformation. With an insatiable curiosity about human behavior, he explores the depths of social psychology, cognitive biases, and the workings of our very brains to uncover the essence of why we act the way we do. With a remarkable track record spanning 17 illustrious years in the realm of communication writing, Kundan's journey is an odyssey of triumphs. His expertise shines through in the multitude of successful campaigns he has helmed for prestigious organizations like Abt Associates, JSI, AIF, UNICEF, and The Union. Each project carries the distinct imprint of Kundan's creative genius, blending artful storytelling with a profound understanding of human nature. Diving into the heart of every narrative, Kundan weaves compelling stories that touch hearts, spark conversations, and inspire action. His commitment to driving positive change through storytelling has earned him a reputation as an extraordinary copywriter and storyteller. Whether it's advocating for social causes or empowering non-profits, Kundan's words have the power to transform lives and make the world a brighter place.
Transformative Writer | Storytellers
With over 13 years of experience in the dynamic world of advertising and communication, Brajesh has honed the craft of storytelling that doesn’t just inform—but transforms. His journey spans the high-octane world of commercial mainline advertising to the purpose-driven landscape of Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC), making him equally fluent in brand-speak and social impact narratives.
Brajesh brings a unique blend of strategic storytelling and creative execution, turning audience insights into emotionally resonant narratives across TVCs, radio, AVs, and print. He has led the development of integrated campaigns that bridge traditional and digital platforms, building seamless, omnichannel brand experiences. In the social sector, he has crafted IEC and SBCC materials that spark dialogue, shift attitudes, and drive real-world impact.
His work in branded content and influencer collaborations reflects a deep understanding of culture and channel dynamics, creating strategies that are both contemporary and effective.
What sets Brajesh apart is his ability to balance creative ambition with strategic clarity. His campaigns are rooted in human behavior and cultural nuance—infused with humor, empathy, and a keen sense of timing. As the industry evolves through AI and digital transformation, Brajesh remains committed to pushing creative boundaries, embracing new technologies, and delivering work that is both relevant and resonant.
At Storytellers, he brings this balance of depth and agility to every brand and every brief—helping craft stories that truly matter.
(BCC EXPRESSIONIST) MASTER OF VISUAL AND VIDEO NARRATIVES
Introducing Konica Lishoy, the vibrant BCC Expressionist at Storytellers, who breathes life into every project with her exceptional flair for visual and video communication. A true master of storytelling through images and motion, Konica's creative genius knows no bounds. With a self-starter attitude, Konica fearlessly takes on new challenges, working closely with her team to design awe-inspiring campaigns for prestigious clients such as AIF, UNICEF, Abt Associates, WJCF, and Room-to-Read. Her ability to seamlessly adapt her narratives to various mediums ensures that each story resonates deeply with its intended audience, leaving a lasting impact. At the heart of Konica's brilliance lies her talent for comprehending complex issues and transforming them into compelling visual stories. Her keen eye for detail and profound understanding of her subjects make her a storytelling virtuoso, capable of evoking emotions and driving action through her art. Beyond her prowess in visual and video communication, Konica's excellence extends to her meticulous documentation of campaigns for organizations like WJCF, Plan International, and Lotus Petal Foundation. As a storyteller who values the essence of every initiative, she leaves no stone unturned in preserving and immortalising the stories that truly matter. With her unique set of skills and captivating narratives, Konica stands as the BCC Expressionist, creating a world of emotions and experiences that resonate deeply with audiences. Her work transcends boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of communication and storytelling. Through her art, she weaves a tapestry of unforgettable tales that inspire, enlighten, and shape the world for the better.
(BCC DESIGN EXPRESSIONIST)
Meet Lavanya, a current student in the product design program at the Symbiosis Institute of Design. Infused with an innate creative spirit, she consistently nurtures ideas and concepts that manifest as vibrant compositions of lines, colors, and forms. This passion drives her academic voyage, where she delves into the intricacies of the design thinking process. Each facet of this process holds immense significance for her — from comprehending user needs to ideation, prototyping, and refinement. Lavanya wholeheartedly immerses herself in honing her skills and insights to master the art of crafting impactful designs. Within her role at Storytellers, she stands as an indispensable contributor, crafting compelling visuals. Her work has been instrumental in numerous campaigns, including notable projects for IMI, JSI, and AIF. While she delves into the intricacies of industrial design during her academic pursuits, Lavanya's endeavors at Storytellers provide a dedicated space for her to cultivate her parallel passion: graphic design. Through these projects, she has honed her proficiency across a spectrum of software tools and design techniques, including composition and balance. Yet, her journey extends beyond technical mastery; it encompasses a profound lesson in the influential power of storytelling to drive behavioral change. This realization has nurtured a sense of responsibility within her as a designer, motivating her to create pieces that prioritize their impact.