It started with a borrowed laptop and a head full of dreams. Deepmala, the founder and CEO of The Visual House (TVH), didn’t set out to build a video production agency. What she envisioned was something far more intentional—a space where storytelling met purpose, where narratives sparked change rather than just clicks.
Fifteen years later, The Visual House stands tall as one of India’s leading creative agencies for socially conscious communication, with campaigns that have reached villages, urban centers, international organizations—and hearts. But ask Deepmala about the milestones, and she doesn’t point to a single defining moment.
“It’s been a series of small wins,” she says thoughtfully. “The first time an NGO trusted us with their campaign. The time a story we told led to real, visible change on the ground. That’s what shaped us—not the spotlight moments, but the quiet impact.”
Her journey into filmmaking and communications wasn’t paved with shortcuts. In the early days, she did it all—writing pitch decks, making cold calls, editing footage, learning on the go. But what set her apart was more than just grit; it was her deep sense of empathy. Having worked in the field and with communities across sectors, she began to see storytelling not as content creation, but as an act of listening.
“Whether it’s the story of a soldier or a frontline health worker, our first job is not to film—it’s to understand,” she says. “Every story is a shared space. You have to enter it with curiosity and care. That’s what keeps us grounded.”
This clarity of purpose has shaped how TVH works—whether with UNICEF, the Indian Army, or creating soul-stirring narratives like Ek Jhalak. The team doesn’t chase stories; they cultivate them. And much of that stems from the values Deepmala has infused into her leadership.
As a woman leading a creative agency in a traditionally male-dominated space, she believes in leading with presence rather than perfection. “We’ve created a space where everyone feels they belong,” she says. “We hire for attitude, not just skill. And I make it a point to mentor younger team members. When people feel safe and seen, their work reflects that. That becomes your signature.”
Now, with The Visual House expanding into international markets—most recently in the Middle East—Deepmala is excited to take Indian-origin stories across borders. But not in the way the world is used to seeing them.
“What excites me is how relatable our stories are when they’re told right,” she says. “The world is ready to see Indian narratives that are rooted yet contemporary. There’s so much richness, so much nuance, and people are hungry for authenticity. We just have to tell it with heart.”
And that’s exactly what Deepmala has done—and continues to do. In a world full of noise, she chooses stories with soul. Through The Visual House, she reminds us that when stories are told with care, they don’t just inform or entertain—they connect, heal, and move us toward something better.