Aishwarya Sridhar - The Entrepreneurs of India Magazine

Aishwarya Sridhar’s love for nature began before she could even put it into words. Born and raised near the foothills of Matheran, a region teeming with biodiversity, her early years were shaped by dense forests, fireflies in the balcony, and stories from her grandmother. That childhood wonder evolved into a sense of responsibility as she saw those same green stretches get replaced by highways and industrial zones. At 13, she stumbled upon the documentary series Life by Sir David Attenborough and something clicked. If a child in India could fall in love with Komodo dragons from a television screen, maybe she could make others fall in love with the forests of India too. That was the beginning of her storytelling mission—to protect what’s left on the planet, one frame at a time.

Aishwarya’s journey into wildlife filmmaking wasn’t a walk in the park. Being young and female in a space that’s often dominated by older men came with its fair share of challenges. Early in her career, she found herself struggling to be taken seriously. Camera operators questioned her directions. Some colleagues found it hard to accept feedback from a woman. These weren’t isolated incidents but recurring patterns, revealing deep-rooted perceptions that leadership has a face—and it’s not young or female. But instead of shrinking, she stood taller. Confidence became her armor. She learned to assert herself clearly, set boundaries, and found strength in preparation. The more skilled and calm she became, the more respect followed.

Aishwarya Sridhar’s love for nature began before she could even put it into words. Born and raised near the foothills of Matheran, a region teeming with biodiversity, her early years were shaped by dense forests, fireflies in the balcony, and stories from her grandmother. That childhood wonder evolved into a sense of responsibility as she saw those same green stretches get replaced by highways and industrial zones. At 13, she stumbled upon the documentary series Life by Sir David Attenborough and something clicked. If a child in India could fall in love with Komodo dragons from a television screen, maybe she could make others fall in love with the forests of India too. That was the beginning of her storytelling mission—to protect what’s left on the planet, one frame at a time.

Aishwarya’s journey into wildlife filmmaking wasn’t a walk in the park. Being young and female in a space that’s often dominated by older men came with its fair share of challenges. Early in her career, she found herself struggling to be taken seriously. Camera operators questioned her directions. Some colleagues found it hard to accept feedback from a woman. These weren’t isolated incidents but recurring patterns, revealing deep-rooted perceptions that leadership has a face—and it’s not young or female. But instead of shrinking, she stood taller. Confidence became her armor. She learned to assert herself clearly, set boundaries, and found strength in preparation. The more skilled and calm she became, the more respect followed.