Sanjay Arora


Sanjay Arora is an Indian filmmaker and actor. He is known for making films such as Expression, Chase, Butterfly Wings, and Once Again.

Early life

Sanjay Arora was born in Kurukshetra, India. He attended Senior Model School in Kurukshetra and later earned a Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering from Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology in Haryana. He subsequently completed postgraduate studies in Export Marketing and Management at Kurukshetra University.
Arora began his career as a host for All India Radio, presenting programming aimed at younger audiences. In 1999, he moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he worked as a software engineer. He later pursued filmmaking and acting, studying directing at the New York Film Academy in New York City. He also trained in acting at the India Today Acting School in Toronto under instructor Roshan Taneja.

Film career

Arora used income from his engineering career in the United States to produce and direct the short film Butterfly Wings. The film, based on the story of a woman with a physical disability, was shot in Delhi with a cast of Indian and American actors. It was featured in the 2011 We Care Film Festival and was screened in 15 cities across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Allahabad, Jaipur, Goa, and Gurgaon. It was also shown at the United Nations Information Center in Delhi and at BHEL in Haridwar. Internationally, the film was screened at the Picture This Film Festival in Calgary, the West Virginia Filmmaker Festival, and the Trinity Film Coalition Film Festival in Detroit.

Other films

Arora's short film Once Again, which draws on themes associated with the teachings of the Buddha, was screened at the Delhi International Film Festival.
His film Expression depicts a relationship between Karan, an American-born Indian, and Sonya, a Russian bartender in Moscow. The narrative emphasizes non-verbal communication and was filmed in Detroit using a cast of Indian and Russian actors. It was screened at the ICE Short Film Festival in Pune and at the World Music & Independent Film Festival in 2012.
Chase is a short film about a young man’s pursuit of happiness. The film was shot in New York City.

Filmography

YearTitleTypeRole
2006ExpressionShort filmProducer, Actor, Director
2008ChaseShort filmProducer, Director
2010Butterfly WingsShort filmProducer, Director
2011Shuttlecock BoysFeature filmAssistant Director
2012Once Again Short filmProducer, Writer, Director
2023Once Upon a Time in LahoreShort filmExecutive Producer
20242 Khet Short filmExecutive Producer
2024You Are EarlyShort filmCo-Producer

Awards and nominations

''2 Khet (Two Farms)''

  • Won Best Director at the South Asian International Film Festival of Florida, 2025.

''Once Upon a Time in Lahore''

''Butterfly Wings''

  • Honorable Mention at the Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival, Houston, 2011.
  • Second Prize, Best Film at the Global Film Festival, Noida, India, 2011.
  • Award of Merit for Short Film at the Accolade Film Competition, USA, 2013.

''Once Again (Phir Vehi)''

  • Official selection at the Delhi International Film Festival, 2012.
  • Won Third Prize at the Boomtown Film & Music Festival, Texas, 2013.
  • Won Best Religious/Spiritual Film at the Great Lakes International Film Festival, 2013.
  • Won Best Screenplay Award at the Free Spirit Film Festival, 2013.
  • Won Silver Award – Short Film Competition at the California Film Awards, 2014.
  • Won Royal Reel Award at the Canada International Film Festival, 2014.