If a wedding film has ever moved you to tears, a bride walking down the aisle to a soulful melody, a groom quietly wiping away a tear, chances are you’ve felt the work of Vishal Punjabi.
In a recent conversation with Karan Johar on The Manyavar Shaadi Show, Vishal offered a rare glimpse into the philosophy behind cinematic wedding storytelling one that prioritises emotion over aesthetics, and authenticity over performance. What stood out immediately wasn’t the scale or glamour of the weddings he’s shot, but the emotional depth required to film them. Vishal often describes his role as part filmmaker, part therapist, a sentiment that resonates deeply. Weddings are emotionally charged, vulnerable moments, and even the most high-profile couples aren’t accustomed to having their intimacy documented. Long before the cameras roll, Vishal spends hours simply listening allowing couples to talk, release nerves, and feel understood. The intent is never to direct a scene, but to build enough trust that when the moment arrives, the camera disappears.
As Vishal puts it simply, we capture weddings, we don’t direct them.
The stories he shared brought this philosophy to life. One of the most memorable moments came from Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani’s wedding. Kiara’s iconic bridal entry to Ranjha is now etched into pop culture but what many don’t know is that the song’s original lyrics spoke of separation and loss. On Kiara’s insistence, the lyrics were rewritten and re-recorded overnight, transforming the track into a love song preserving the emotional truth of the moment. In contrast was the wedding of Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, which Vishal described as having a deeply “Sufi” quality, that was effortless, organic, and spiritually aligned. There was nothing to stage, the moments simply unfolded, untouched.
Beyond celebrity weddings, the conversation offered grounded insight for every couple planning their big day. Vishal addressed the question most often asked why do wedding films cost what they do? Couples aren’t just paying for a videographer, they’re investing in licensed music, extensive data storage to preserve memories for decades, and months of editing to craft a narrative that will outlive trends. Yet, he also offered a gentle caution, don’t turn your wedding into a content shoot. The biggest mistake couples make is prioritising the “shot” over the experience. A wedding is meant to be lived, not performed. Venues should reflect who you are because the space itself becomes the third lead character in your story.
At its heart, the episode was a reminder that while reels may trend and timelines scroll endlessly, weddings remain deeply personal. Some of Vishal’s most meaningful work including Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s full wedding film wasn’t shared publicly for years. Those films weren’t created for the internet, but for the couple and the generations that follow.
Vishal closed the conversation with a sentiment that perfectly captures the soul of The Wedding Filmer whether your memories are captured on cameras or a phone held by someone you love, if they’re filmed with care, honesty, and respect, they will last.
Because in the end, it isn’t the equipment that stands the test of time, it’s the emotion.
