Jamshedpur, July 24, 2026: Born and raised in Kumirmudi village in Jadugoda, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand, Ravi Raj Murmu grew up with aspirations that extended far beyond the boundaries of his village. Today, Ravi is a filmmaker and editor whose work has reached national audiences, but his journey remains rooted in the dreams he nurtured as a young boy growing up in Kumirmudi village. At the heart of this journey lies a long-standing association with Tata Steel Foundation.
Ravi’s association with Tata Steel Foundation began in 2008 when he was selected for the Jyoti Fellowship. Through the programme, he received academic support and encouragement throughout his secondary school years. After completing his schooling, Ravi pursued a degree in Mass Communication with a specialisation in Video Production. It was during this time that he came across Samuday Ke Saath (SKS), an initiative of Tata Steel Foundation that uses the medium of cinema to amplify the voices of Indigenous and tribal communities across India.
As part of SKS, Ravi received an award for one of his films in the Community Category, an early recognition that encouraged him to pursue filmmaking more seriously. Over the years, his association with SKS evolved from that of a participant to a mentor, allowing him to give back to the platform that had helped shape his journey. SKS provided him with valuable opportunities to network with fellow filmmakers, interact with industry professionals, exchange ideas and learn from diverse experiences.
His association with Tata Steel Foundation grew stronger when he undertook an internship with Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS), now Tata Steel Foundation. Travelling to communities and documenting field interventions, he experienced first-hand how stories could amplify local voices and bring attention to community-led change.
Determined to pursue filmmaking professionally, Ravi explored multiple pathways. From documentary filmmaking and wedding photography to preparing for competitive examinations, he continued searching for opportunities to build a career in cinema. Though he secured admissions to reputed management institutes, his passion for filmmaking remained unwavering. Recognising his potential, Tata Steel Foundation continued to support his journey. As a Tata Steel Scholar, Ravi earned admission to the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, where he pursued a postgraduate diploma in filmmaking.
Over the years, Ravi worked on a diverse projects spanning documentaries, promotional films, research-based visual documentation and commercial productions. His growing expertise opened doors to collaborations with production houses creating films for institutions and government departments. His professional journey eventually led him to opportunities with some of the world’s leading entertainment platforms. As an associate editor and trailer editor, he contributed to projects for Netflix, Jio Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video, further refining his creative horizons.
The defining moment in Ravi’s journey came in 2026 with Angen, a film inspired by indigenous culture and lived experiences. The film earned the National Film Award, bringing national recognition not only to Ravi’s work but also to the rich storytelling traditions of Jharkhand.
“My association with Tata Steel Foundation has always felt like being part of a family. I was fortunate to have mentors whom I could approach anytime, whether for guidance on my education, career or personal challenges. They were always accessible, willing to listen and open to ideas and suggestions. Through the Foundation and the Samvaad community, I found encouragement, opportunities and a strong support system that believed in me at every stage of my journey”, Ravi says.
Today, Ravi hopes to create feature films rooted in tribal and indigenous narratives, build a production house that nurtures authentic storytelling from Jharkhand and take the stories of his homeland to national and international audiences.
From Kumirmudi village to becoming a National Award-winning filmmaker, Ravi’s journey has been shaped by perseverance, encouragement and the support of people who believed in him. Through his work, he continues to honour his roots, carrying the stories, culture and aspirations of his community to wider audiences.
