Pune-Based Performer Adds Published Author and Global Filmmaker Titles to a Decade-Long, Award-Winning Career

Pune-based actor, writer, and director Ketan Pendse is stepping into a new chapter of his decade-long entertainment career. Best known for his work across the Marathi and Hindi film and television industry, the 29-year-old is now adding two fresh titles to his resume: published author and international filmmaker. The milestones arrive alongside his first English-language international feature film, “11:17PM,” and mark one of the more unconventional career pivots seen in regional Indian cinema in recent years.

A Decade of Awards Across Acting, Direction, and Beyond

Ketan Pendse’s presence on the Marathi and Hindi film festival circuit stretches back nearly ten years. He earned the Best Debut Actor award for “Ek Thriller Night” at the Nashik International Film Festival in 2016, and followed it with a Best Actor win at the Late Dr. Patangrao Kadam 4th Pune International Short Film Festival in 2019.

In 2021, he expanded into direction, winning the Best Director award at the 12th Pune and 9th Goa Short Film Festival for his Marathi short film “Gupt.” His most recent honour came at the Asian Thailand International Short Film Festival 2025, where he won Best Actor for “Kahi Kisi Roz.” He has also picked up recognition outside the festival circuit, including the Best Smile award at the Mr. & Ms. Glamfame fashion show, presented by Sonali Kulkarni and Ashmit Patel.

More recently, his awards tally has grown on the international stage: a Best Actor and Best Director win at the Nepal International Film Festival 2026 for the Hindi feature “Black Night,” and a Best Actor award at the Canada International Film Festival 2026 for the Marathi short “Gupt,” shared with co-actor Ketaki Chitale. Taken together, the honours span acting, direction, and even a fashion-circuit award, pointing to a career built on range rather than a single specialty.

A Filmography Spanning Formats

Pendse’s body of work covers feature films, web series, short films, and music videos in both Hindi and Marathi cinema. His Hindi credits include the feature films “The Invisible Hubby,” “Trisha,” and “Black Night,” along with the web series “Margaon Files: The Unsolved Case,” which features veteran performers such as Zeenat Aman, Pallavi Joshi, and Shilpa Shinde.

On the Marathi side, his filmography includes “Ek Thriller Night,” currently streaming on ZEE5, along with “Binda,” “Love Betting,” “Aagmya,” “Punha 26/11,” “Love Lover Zindabad,” and “Lagna Chakra,” which released on Amazon in the US and UK. Upcoming OTT projects include “Chillari,” “Aranyachakra,” and the web series “Ti Parat Aaliy.”

He has also built a substantial short film and music video catalogue, including the Hindi shorts “Gumraah,” “Strange,” “Kahi Kisi Roz,” and “The Trap”; a set of silent short films titled “Scared,” “Smile,” “The Mobster,” “The Mobile Last Frame,” and “Hope”; the award-winning Marathi short “Gupt”; “Blue Shoe” and “Khel Sansaracha”; and music videos such as “Roop Tuzha Bhari,” “Dil Mera Tere Naam,” and “Yaara Teri Yaari.” Beyond acting, he has anchored segments, including an interview with actor Abhijit Bichukale, and hosted the pan-India travel show “Travel Trolly.” He has also modelled in fashion shows alongside personalities such as Sonali Kulkarni, Parul Chauhan, Mrs India 2013 winner Pooja Thakur, Shruti Marathe, Saurabh Gokhale, and Gaurav Ghatnekar.

Stepping Into Publishing as an Author

In a departure from his screen career, Pendse has published his debut novel, “Haveli: Ek Adhuri Mulakat,” under Inkvision Press, credited to his full name, Ketan Pradip Pendse. The book is available on Amazon, Flipkart, Google Books, Kindle, and the Google Play Store, and explores themes of memory, longing, and unresolved connection — a sensibility that echoes the psychological horror and travel-drama undertones running through his acting and directing work.

The literary debut will not be his last. A second novel, a romantic drama titled “Kinaara,” is set to publish soon under the same author credit, suggesting his move into fiction is a sustained pursuit rather than a one-off project alongside his screen career.

“11:17PM”: A Global Leap

Pendse’s most ambitious project to date is “11:17PM,” on which he serves as writer, director, producer, and lead actor. The film is produced under his own banner, Glamfame Entertainment, with Daulatsingh Rajpurohit co-producing through Rajpurohit Films.

Billed as a psychological horror and adventure travel drama, “11:17PM” was shot across five countries — Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macao, and India. The story follows travel blogger Keyaan, who is pulled into a haunting mystery tied to a recurring dream that strikes at exactly 11:17 PM.

An Outlier in Marathi and Hindi Entertainment

With a debut novel under the Ketan Pradip Pendse author credit and his first internationally shot feature film now underway, Pendse’s career trajectory reflects a performer unwilling to stay confined to a single role, language, or medium. As “11:17PM” and “Haveli: Ek Adhuri Mulakat” both reach new audiences, his decade of groundwork across Marathi and Hindi entertainment appears to be setting the stage for a considerably larger stage ahead.

In an industry where actors typically specialise in a single track — performance, direction, or production — Pendse’s willingness to take on all three simultaneously, while also publishing fiction and anchoring television segments, marks him as an outlier within the Marathi and Hindi entertainment space. From his 2016 debut award in Mumbai at NiFF to his 2025 win in Thailand, and now his 2026 wins in Nepal and Canada, his awards run appears to be reaching its most ambitious chapter yet — with his second novel, “Kinaara,” set to publish soon.

Flipkart:https://www.flipkart.com/haveli-ek-adhuri-mulakat/p/itm49ce56972d186?pid

Career Snapshot

Co-founded by Digaditya Pratap Kaushik and Gyan Prakash Mishra, BookMyGlow bridges traditional salon operations with modern technology to empower business owners and simplify customer experiences.

NEW DELHI, INDIA — August 2026 — In an era defined by rapid digital evolution, the beauty and wellness industry in India is undergoing a monumental shift. Leading this charge is BookMyGlow, a pioneering technology platform created to bring salon owners, beauty professionals, and modern consumers into one unified, seamless ecosystem. Founded with the mission of ‘Bringing Beauty, Technology, and People Together,’ the company is redefining how beauty services are discovered, booked, and managed across the nation.

Solving Real Industry Challenges with Technology

Behind every impactful innovation lies a core problem waiting to be solved. For beauty professionals and customers alike, traditional salon interactions often come with friction. Customers frequently encounter difficulty in locating reliable, verified salons, dealing with uncertain waiting times, or struggling to find transparent service menus. On the other hand, salon owners spend a disproportionate amount of time on administrative burdens—managing appointments, coordinating staff schedules, handling inventory, and executing marketing campaigns.

Co-founded by Digaditya Pratap Kaushik and Gyan Prakash Mishra, BookMyGlow was designed specifically to bridge this gap between traditional beauty operations and modern digital convenience. What started as an effort to simplify appointment booking has rapidly evolved into a comprehensive digital platform that elevates operational efficiency for businesses while delivering unmatched convenience to users.

A Dual-Sided Platform Built for Seamless Connections

At its heart, BookMyGlow functions as a dual-purpose solution that caters to both sides of the beauty and wellness marketplace:

• For Modern Customers: BookMyGlow eliminates uncertainty by aggregating verified salons and wellness centers onto a single, easy-to-use mobile platform. Users can effortlessly explore curated services, compare verified client reviews, view transparent pricing, and lock in appointments instantly—bringing convenience directly to their fingertips.
• For Salon Owners & Entrepreneurs: More than a booking tool, BookMyGlow serves as an all-in-one digital operating engine. It automates daily administrative workflows—including automated booking management, staff allocations, inventory tracking, digital billing, customer relationship management (CRM), and targeted promotional tools. Salon owners can spend less time on paperwork and more time delivering exceptional client care.

Empowering Creators & Fostering Community with Glow Circle

Recognizing that beauty is inherently visual and community-driven, BookMyGlow expands beyond transactional services into social engagement. Through its innovative Glow Circle initiative, beauty enthusiasts, influencers, and micro-creators can monetize their passion. Users can share original beauty content, tutorials, and service recommendations while earning rewards and revenue, effectively turning beauty advocacy into a sustainable digital opportunity.

Visionary Leadership Driving Industry Growth

Under the visionary leadership of Digaditya Pratap Kaushik and Gyan Prakash Mishra, BookMyGlow continues to pioneer an inclusive growth model. Their core belief is that technology should empower people rather than complicate their lives. By providing intuitive, affordable, and powerful digital tools, BookMyGlow enables beauty businesses of every size—from independent neighborhood parlors to flagship luxury salons—to thrive in today’s digital economy.

As India’s beauty and wellness sector accelerates into its next era of growth, BookMyGlow stands as a powerful testament to human-centric innovation. By combining technology with a deep understanding of market realities, the platform is creating a more connected, efficient, and prosperous ecosystem—one appointment at a time.

Explore the BookMyGlow Ecosystem

• Official Instagram Profile: @bookmyglow on Instagram
• Co-Founder Profile (Digaditya Pratap Kaushik): Connect on LinkedIn
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/gyan-prakash-mishra-85040975?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android

Social Activist Honoured with Honoris Causa Doctorate for Eight Years of Humanitarian Work Across Delhi and Beyond

In a world where personal ambition often takes centre stage, Dr. Lal Singh Rawat (Honoris Causa) has built a different kind of legacy, one rooted in disaster relief, healthcare outreach, environmental conservation, and community welfare. Born on 2nd April 1986 in Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand, and now based in North East Delhi, Dr. Rawat has spent close to eight years working on the ground as a social activist, earning recognition as a Corona Warrior for his frontline service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His work has since been featured across several media platforms, including India Times Group, Punjab Kesari, Navodaya Times, Media Hindustan, and Khabar India 24×7, reflecting the growing public recognition of his contributions to social service.

From the Hills of Uttarakhand to the Streets of Delhi

Dr. Rawat often describes Uttarakhand as his Janmabhoomi, or birthland, and Delhi as his Karmabhoomi, the place where his life’s work has unfolded. Raised with strong moral values and a deep sense of social responsibility, he chose early on to dedicate his life to community welfare rather than pursue personal success alone. Over the past eight years, that choice has translated into sustained, hands-on involvement in disaster relief, environmental awareness, healthcare support, and educational outreach across Delhi and neighbouring regions.

He is married and lives as part of a joint family, a detail that friends and associates say has shaped his community-first outlook. Alongside his social work, his interests include public motivation, youth empowerment, and environmental awareness, all themes that consistently show up in the initiatives he has led or supported.

Honoris Causa: A Doctorate in Recognition of Service

In recognition of his contributions to social work, Dr. Rawat was conferred an Honoris Causa, or honorary doctorate, by the Iconic Human Rights & Educational Organization, an entity registered under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India. The honour specifically recognised his sustained efforts in the field of social service, and the title “Dr.” now associated with his name reflects this honorary distinction rather than a traditional academic doctorate.

This recognition sits alongside his more conventional academic and technical qualifications. Dr. Rawat holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, along with an ITI Electrical Trade certificate from Government ITI, Nizamuddin, Delhi, an ITI PPO Diploma from Government ITI, Mayur Vihar Phase-III, Delhi, a one-year Desktop Publishing (DTP) computer certificate course, and a Technical Training Certificate from NCERT, Government of India, Hauz Khas, New Delhi. Together, this combination of academic study and hands-on technical training has given him both the practical skills and the discipline to organise and sustain long-running social initiatives.

A Frontline Corona Warrior During the Pandemic

Dr. Rawat’s most widely recognised contribution came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he stepped forward as a frontline volunteer at a time when many were confined to their homes. His pandemic-era work included helping vulnerable families access food and essential supplies, assisting citizens in obtaining ration cards, supporting economically weaker households, and providing frontline services at LNJP Hospital, a Delhi Government facility that served as one of the city’s key COVID-19 treatment centres.

He was also active in COVID-19 awareness campaigns, helping spread accurate health information within his community at a time when misinformation was widespread. This body of work earned him the Corona Warrior Award, a recognition of the risks he took and the consistency of his service during one of the most difficult public health crises in recent memory.

A Wide-Ranging Record of Social Contribution

Beyond his pandemic-era work, Dr. Rawat’s record of social service spans several distinct areas. During the Delhi riots, he was actively involved in disaster relief efforts, providing financial assistance, food distribution, and drinking water to affected families. On the environmental front, he has taken part in Yamuna river cleaning campaigns, tree plantation drives, and cleanliness and sanitation initiatives aimed at raising public awareness around environmental protection.

In healthcare, his work has included organising free medical camps, participating in voluntary blood donation drives, and supporting broader community health awareness programs. On the education and social development front, he has been involved in educational awareness campaigns, career and employment guidance for young people, and youth motivation initiatives aimed at building a stronger, more self-reliant community.

His community work also extends into more traditional and cultural spaces. Dr. Rawat has been involved in religious and community service initiatives, and has played a role in helping families within the Pahari community establish matrimonial relationships, an effort he sees as part of a broader mission to promote unity, harmony, and social integration within his community.

A Philosophy Rooted in Service

Dr. Rawat’s approach to his work is anchored in a simple guiding belief: that service to humanity is the greatest religion. He has also spoken about staying focused on his mission regardless of external opinion, framing his social work not as a pursuit of recognition but as a personal responsibility to his community.

Those who have worked alongside him describe his approach as marked by simplicity, humility, and consistency, qualities that have helped him sustain nearly eight years of continuous social engagement across disaster relief, healthcare, environmental work, and community development, even as public attention around any individual cause naturally rises and falls.

Profile Details

Connect with Dr. Lal Singh Rawat

Updates on Dr. Rawat’s ongoing social work and community initiatives can be followed on Facebook at fb.com/DrLalSinghRawat.

As Dr. Lal Singh Rawat continues his work across Delhi and beyond, his journey stands as an example of what sustained, ground-level social service can look like, built not on a single high-profile moment, but on nearly a decade of consistent, hands-on commitment to the people around him.