Master Storytelling & Directing with Visionary Filmmaker Nelson Dilipkumar
Master Storytelling & Directing with Visionary Filmmaker Nelson Dilipkumar
Join Nelson—the director behind Kolamaavu Kokila, Doctor, Beast, and Jailer—in this exclusive masterclass. Learn how to blend dark humor, tension, and character in cinematic stories that stay with audiences.
Discover filmmaking through the
eyes of a storyteller who transformed
everyday encounters into cinematic masterpieces.
PDF workshop for every class
4+hours of course content
Exclusive workshops and events
Signed certificate from the Instructor
Watch on any device
Get certified
Pay Once, Play Forever
Learn at your own Pace
PDF workshop for every class
4+hours of course content
Exclusive workshops and events
Signed certificate from the Instructor
Watch on any device
Get certified
Pay Once, Play Forever
Learn at your own Pace
CLASS INFO
CLASS INFO
29 EPISODES
29 EPISODES
Episode 1
Introduction - Foundations of Your Filmmaking Journey
Meet your award-winning mentor Nelson who explains the goals of his MasterClass. Here he offers a peek behind the scenes, sharing the experiences, mistakes, and personal truths that shaped his movies. Take notes, but trust your gut.
Episode 2
Redefining Career Paths – Lessons from an Accidental Filmmaker
Filmmaking wasn’t Nelson’s childhood dream—it was barely on his radar. A twist of fate, a low engineering score, and his father’s quiet creativity changed everything, steering him into cinema almost by accident.
Episode 3
Finding your Voice
Learn how to recognize your creative spark through experimentation. Nelson reflects on how photography and college storytelling contests helped him develop a unique voice—an approach you can apply to your own evolution.
Episode 4
Learning to See Your World Differently
Explore how to develop a filmmaker's perspective without formal education. Nelson breaks down how curiosity, observational learning, and peer interaction helped him sharpen his visual storytelling and how you can too.
Episode 5
Watching Cinema with a Filmmaker’s Eye
Go beyond passive film-watching. Nelson explains how analyzing frame composition, editing rhythm, and visual metaphors can transform how you absorb and apply cinematic language.
Episode 6
Structuring Stories – Learning from Masters
Understand how to build narrative frameworks. Nelson shares foundational script lessons inspired by iconic Tamil directors, giving you tools to simplify and strengthen your story architecture. Learn and understand how to structure stories simply yet powerfully.
Episode 7
Prioritizing Story over Stardom – A Case Study of Kolamavu Kokila
Unpack how story-first thinking shapes powerful films. Learn why choosing narrative integrity over commercial casting can help you build breakout projects. Nelson breaks down his decision to make a woman-led film without leaning on familiar hero tropes. He explains why focusing on a strong story in Kolamavu Kokila mattered more than star power or formula.
Episode 8
Trusting Your Gut - Strengthening Creative Instincts in Direction
What makes your films different from everyone else’s? Learn how to identify and trust your filmmaking sensibilities. Nelson discusses the importance of owning your unique strengths, even when they go against the industry grain.
Episode 9
Turning Real-Life Observations into Relatable Stories
Real life triggered Nelson’s creativity: a chance encounter with a woman whose actions contradict her appearance became the foundation for Kolamavu Kokila. He explains how everyday life inspires relatable stories and Discover how to ground your films in authenticity.
Episode 10
Tonal Balancing – Doctor
Nelson describes the tricky tone of his film Doctor. Turning a straightforward missing-person case into something fresh meant mixing dark humour with genuine stakes — Learn how to mix unconventional tones without losing emotional weight. Nelson demonstrates how Doctor’s humour remained engaging without compromising on tension.
Episode 11
Previsualization – Seeing Your Story Before You Shoot
Narration isn’t just storytelling—it’s how you make your audience feel what you feel.. Explore how clearly visualizing your scenes can enhance emotional impact. Nelson shares methods to ensure your audience feels exactly what you intend.
Episode 12
Guiding New Actors - Techniques for Authentic Performances
Nelson prefers new actors over familiar faces. He reveals how direct, simple communication helps him draw natural performances from inexperienced talent, shaping them into believable, memorable characters.
Episode 13
Five Lines First - Building Stories from Core Concepts
When Nelson writes scripts, he begins simply: just five clear lines to capture his core idea. Then he maps out the big beats—start, middle, and end—before filling in the gaps. It’s not magic; it’s structure. Nelson breaks down his “Five Lines First” method—showing you how to distill your film into core beats before layering complexity.
Episode 14
Getting Unstuck
Writer’s block hits Nelson often. He admits it openly, sharing his simple fix: breaking scenes down piece-by-piece, pacing carefully to keep audiences glued. If a scene isn’t working, he doesn’t panic—he rebuilds it.
Episode 15
Creating Complex Characters – The Making of Veera Raghavan – Beast
Nelson discusses building a layered character with Beast’s Veera Raghavan. He explains how opening with action, adding emotional depth, and tapping into the character’s guilt made Veera relatable and engaging from the start. Understand how to build emotionally layered protagonists.
Episode 16
Making Mass Moments Matter
How do you build scenes everyone remembers? Learn how to craft “mass” scenes that resonate emotionally, not just visually. Discover timing, setup, and payoff strategies for iconic cinematic moments. Nelson believes memorable “mass” moments must be emotional, not just stylish. He talks about carefully placing punchlines and reveals, ensuring they land just right.
Episode 17
Writing Transformational Arcs – The Power of Turning Points
Nelson unpacks why transformation scenes—those big “flip” moments—are always audience favourites. Using examples like Kolamavu Kokila, Doctor, and Beast, he shares how predictability doesn’t matter if you handle it right.
Episode 18
Hero’s Journey – Jailer & Baasha
What makes a hero’s transformation powerful, even when you’ve seen it before? Nelson examines films like Jailer and classic hits like Baasha, showing why timing and emotional consistency make familiar arcs fresh again.
Episode 19
Writing Real Dialogue
Nelson gets real about dialogue. He tests lines by speaking them aloud to his team, ensuring they sound true—not forced or overly dramatic. Each character speaks uniquely, making scenes authentic, never artificial. Learn how to write dialogue for authenticity, clarity, and character depth.
Episode 20
Balancing Collaboration with Creative Control
How much feedback is too much? Nelson explains his balanced approach—accepting input openly, but always filtering it through his instincts. It’s about adapting to challenges without losing sight of the original vision.
Episode 21
Aligning Creative Vision with Production Budgets
Nelson talks candidly about how budgets shape his stories. Learn How handling constraints can lead to smarter decisions, keeping stories focused and practical.
Episode 22
Scene Design without Storyboards - A Collaborative Approach
Nelson emphasises on why he rejects storyboards. How he starts from core scene concepts, collaborating closely with his art and camera teams, planning sets practically. It’s not about visuals first—it’s about making scenes feel real. Understand how to communicate scene intention without traditional storyboarding and Learn Nelson’s method of co-developing set design with art and camera teams for natural realism.
Episode 23
Set Design : Sets Built from Scripts
Every set Nelson builds is strictly informed by the script. Discover how every element of set design should serve the story - Wall heights, windows, even furniture—they all come directly from what the scene needs. It’s a careful, practical approach to set-building that ensures filming goes smoothly.
Episode 24
Keeping the Set Alive
Nelson shares how he maintains creative energy on set. Instead of panicking when problems occur, Nelson shares how to preserve positivity and problem-solving energy during high-stress shoots.
Episode 25
Communicating Clearly
Nelson emphasizes clarity on set—he relies heavily on assistant directors to communicate visual goals clearly to every department. His approach is straightforward, efficient, and avoids unnecessary micromanaging.
Episode 26
Case Study : The Art of handling Stars & First-Timers
Nelson directs big stars and fresh actors exactly the same way: clearly and directly. He explains how he drew a strong performance from newcomer Dhanraj in Jailer by patiently guiding him through months of preparation.
Episode 27
Editing with Rhythm, Emotion, and Honesty
Editing isn’t just trimming footage—Nelson describes it as finding the story’s heartbeat. He works closely with editors, relying on trial screenings and honest feedback to find the cleanest, clearest version of the film. Explore how editing reveals the soul of your film.
Episode 28
Music Leads the Way – Anirudh’s Scores
Music isn’t just background for Nelson—it guides scenes. He describes working closely with composer Anirudh Ravichander, Learn how to integrate music from script to edit, by understanding how tracks sometimes shape entire sequences, like the tense moments in Kolamavu Kokila.
Episode 29
Prioritizing Performance and Visuals on Set
On set, Nelson doesn’t stress about the script—it’s locked in his mind already. Instead, he concentrates on visuals and performances, trusting his preparation to guide him through each take smoothly.
Start today for just
Start today for just
₹1,499
₹1,499
₹4,999
₹4,999
Limited Time Offer
Limited Time Offer
What You'll Get?
What You'll Get?
28 Practical Lessons (2h 20m)
28 Practical Lessons (2h 20m)
PDF Worksheets for Every Class
PDF Worksheets for Every Class
Lifetime Access
Lifetime Access
Certificate Signed by Nelson
Certificate Signed by Nelson
Beginner-Friendly. No Prior Experience Needed
Beginner-Friendly. No Prior Experience Needed
Learn Anytime, Anywhere
Learn Anytime, Anywhere
Learn from the
Learn from the
Director Behind these Blockbuster Films
Director Behind these Blockbuster Films
WHo is this program for?
WHY IS THIS
MASTERCLASS
FOR YOU?
WHY IS THIS
MASTERCLASS FOR YOU?
WHY IS THIS
MASTERCLASS
FOR YOU?
The Rulebreaker Director
Follow the journey of a director who rewrote the rules without ever going to film school.
The Art of Calm Direction
Understand how to direct stars and first-timers with the same calm clarity.
Balancing Shadows and Laughter
Discover how to blend dark humor and tension.
The Rulebreaker Director
Follow the journey of a director who rewrote the rules without ever going to film school.
The Art of Calm Direction
Understand how to direct stars and first-timers with the same calm clarity.
Balancing Shadows and Laughter
Discover how to blend dark humor
and tension.
Download or print out as a PDF to share with others
Showcase your Certificate on social media
Share a document online to demonstrate your skill
GET A SIGNED
CERTIFICATE FROM
LOKESH KANAGARAJ
Get a Signed Certificate from Lokesh Kanagaraj Use it to showcase your skills online or print it as proof of completion. Great for your portfolio, LinkedIn, or even future collaborators.
You’ve seen
what he builds on screen.
Now learn how
he builds it
off screen.
If you’re serious about filmmaking, this isn’t just a class. It’s a front-row seat to the thought process behind some of Indian cinema’s boldest work.
Limited Time Offer
You’ve seen
what he builds on screen.
Now learn how
he builds it
off screen.
If you’re serious about filmmaking, this isn’t just a class. It’s a front-row seat to the thought process behind some of Indian cinema’s boldest work.
Limited Time Offer
01
Download or Print out as PDF to share with others
02
Showcase on your Certificate on social media
03
Share as image online to demonstrate your skill
I’ve done a few writing workshops before, but this one stood out. Lokesh didn’t come through film school—and you can feel it in his teaching. No rules, no formulas. Just his rhythm—how he builds tension, uses silence, and gives the audience room to breathe. His narrative breakdown of Leo and Vikram helped me untangle a script I’d been stuck on for months. Suddenly, the clutter in my head made sense. It felt like he gave me permission to write instinctively.
Amirtha Fazina
Aspiring Writer, Jaipur
I don’t work in films—I lead a product team in tech. But I’ve always believed storytelling matters everywhere. What surprised me was how relevant this class was for my world. The way Lokesh builds emotional arcs, places reveals, and times his ‘mass’ moments—honestly, it reminded me of how we build pitch decks. His lesson on scene rhythm made me think differently and I actually took notes like I was back in college.
Rahul Mehta
Product Manager, Mumbai
His explanation of emotional hooks during ‘mass’ scenes really stuck with me. He doesn’t believe in loud for the sake of loud—he builds character stakes first, then delivers the punch. It’s not just about the noise, but about making you feel something when the moment hits. That one insight completely changed how I think about impact in storytelling. I went back to my scripts and started focusing more on emotional buildup than spectacle.
Prasath
Marketing Lead, Bengaluru
His explanation of emotional hooks during ‘mass’ scenes really stuck with me. He doesn’t believe in loud for the sake of loud—he builds character stakes first, then delivers the punch. It’s not just about the noise, but about making you feel something when the moment hits. That one insight completely changed how I think about impact in storytelling. I went back to my scripts and started focusing more on emotional buildup than spectacle.
Prasath
Marketing Lead, Bengaluru
I’ve been on film sets for four years now. I thought I’d seen it all. But just in the first two videos, Lokesh shared things that made me pause. The way he talks about building character —using actions, glances, silences—it’s subtle but powerful. He’s not teaching with slides or breakdowns. He’s just walking you through his decisions, and you realise how much of direction is just emotional clarity. I took what he said into my next shoot, and my scene blocking felt more fluid. It’s like I was seeing things with a clearer lens.
Swetha
Assistant Director, Kochi
I’ve been on film sets for four years now. I thought I’d seen it all. But just in the first two videos, Lokesh shared things that made me pause. The way he talks about building character —using actions, glances, silences—it’s subtle but powerful. He’s not teaching with slides or breakdowns. He’s just walking you through his decisions, and you realise how much of direction is just emotional clarity. I took what he said into my next shoot, and my scene blocking felt more fluid. It’s like I was seeing things with a clearer lens.
Swetha
Assistant Director, Kochi
I shoot bike vlogs every weekend—nothing fancy. But I love cutting footage to music, adding drama, building arcs. I never thought a director like Lokesh would help with that. His take on action scenes—how every cut is about emotion, not just movement—completely changed how I edit. His lesson on fight sequences, explaining why pauses matter more than punches, was eye-opening. I now pace my edits differently, giving breath and building tension. Suddenly, my videos feel more cinematic—just by thinking differently.
Hari
Motovlogger & Editor, Madurai
I shoot bike vlogs every weekend—nothing fancy. But I love cutting footage to music, adding drama, building arcs. I never thought a director like Lokesh would help with that. His take on action scenes—how every cut is about emotion, not just movement—completely changed how I edit. His lesson on fight sequences, explaining why pauses matter more than punches, was eye-opening. I now pace my edits differently, giving breath and building tension. Suddenly, my videos feel more cinematic—just by thinking differently.
Hari
Motovlogger & Editor, Madurai
This makes our heart beat faster everyday
I’ve been on film sets for four years, but Lokesh still made me pause. The way he builds character through actions, glances, and silences is powerful. He’s not teaching theory—just pure instinct. It made me see that direction is really about emotional clarity. My next shoot felt smoother, like I was seeing with a clearer lens.
Swetha
Aspiring Writer, Jaipur
His take on emotional hooks in ‘mass’ scenes really stuck with me. He doesn’t go loud for the sake of it—he builds stakes first, then lands the punch. It’s not about noise, it’s about feeling. That one insight changed how I think about impact—I now focus on emotional buildup over spectacle.
Hari
Product Manager, Mumbai
I don’t work in films—I lead a product team in tech. But storytelling matters everywhere. Lokesh’s take on emotion, reveals, and rhythm felt surprisingly relevant—like building a great pitch deck. I even found myself taking notes like I was back in college.
Prasath
Marketing Lead, Bengaluru
I’ve been on film sets for four years, but Lokesh still made me pause. The way he builds character through actions, glances, and silences is powerful. He’s not teaching theory—just pure instinct. It made me see that direction is really about emotional clarity. My next shoot felt smoother, like I was seeing with a clearer lens.
Swetha
Aspiring Writer, Jaipur
His take on emotional hooks in ‘mass’ scenes really stuck with me. He doesn’t go loud for the sake of it—he builds stakes first, then lands the punch. It’s not about noise, it’s about feeling. That one insight changed how I think about impact—I now focus on emotional buildup over spectacle.
Hari
Product Manager, Mumbai
I don’t work in films—I lead a product team in tech. But storytelling matters everywhere. Lokesh’s take on emotion, reveals, and rhythm felt surprisingly relevant—like building a great pitch deck. I even found myself taking notes like I was back in college.
Prasath
Marketing Lead, Bengaluru
I’ve been on film sets for four years, but Lokesh still made me pause. The way he builds character through actions, glances, and silences is powerful. He’s not teaching theory—just pure instinct. It made me see that direction is really about emotional clarity. My next shoot felt smoother, like I was seeing with a clearer lens.
Swetha
Aspiring Writer, Jaipur
His take on emotional hooks in ‘mass’ scenes really stuck with me. He doesn’t go loud for the sake of it—he builds stakes first, then lands the punch. It’s not about noise, it’s about feeling. That one insight changed how I think about impact—I now focus on emotional buildup over spectacle.
Hari
Product Manager, Mumbai
I don’t work in films—I lead a product team in tech. But storytelling matters everywhere. Lokesh’s take on emotion, reveals, and rhythm felt surprisingly relevant—like building a great pitch deck. I even found myself taking notes like I was back in college.
Prasath
Marketing Lead, Bengaluru
I’ve been on film sets for four years, but Lokesh still made me pause. The way he builds character through actions, glances, and silences is powerful. He’s not teaching theory—just pure instinct. It made me see that direction is really about emotional clarity. My next shoot felt smoother, like I was seeing with a clearer lens.
Swetha
Aspiring Writer, Jaipur
His take on emotional hooks in ‘mass’ scenes really stuck with me. He doesn’t go loud for the sake of it—he builds stakes first, then lands the punch. It’s not about noise, it’s about feeling. That one insight changed how I think about impact—I now focus on emotional buildup over spectacle.
Hari
Product Manager, Mumbai
I don’t work in films—I lead a product team in tech. But storytelling matters everywhere. Lokesh’s take on emotion, reveals, and rhythm felt surprisingly relevant—like building a great pitch deck. I even found myself taking notes like I was back in college.
Prasath
Marketing Lead, Bengaluru
What you’ll get
What
you’ll get
Enroll now and get bonuses worth Rs.19,999 for free. There was never a better time to grab this on-demand program.
Enroll now and get bonuses worth Rs.19,999 for free. There was never a better time to grab this on-demand program.
01
Insider Access to Nelson’s Craft - Understand how he builds suspense, humor, and tone in films.
01
Insider Access to Nelson’s Craft - Understand how he builds suspense, humor, and tone in films.
02
4+ Hours of In-Depth Lessons - From script to screen, mapped through Nelson’s career.
02
4+ Hours of In-Depth Lessons - From script to screen, mapped through Nelson’s career.
03
Downloadable Workbooks & Exercises - Practical assignments to hone your skills.
03
Downloadable Workbooks & Exercises - Practical assignments to hone your skills.
04
Downloadable Workbooks & Exercises - Apply filmmaking concepts step by step
04
Downloadable Workbooks & Exercises - Apply filmmaking concepts step by step
You’ve seen what he builds on screen. Now learn how he builds it off screen.
If you’re serious about filmmaking, this isn’t just a class. It’s a front-row seat to the thought process behind some of Indian cinema’s boldest work.
Is this a technical filmmaking course?
No. This is not a technical or academic filmmaking course. Lokesh isn’t teaching shot sizes or camera gear. He’s walking you through how he thinks, how he builds stories, choreographs action, directs actors, and balances emotion with mass appeal.
Who is this Masterclass for?
This is for anyone who loves cinema and wants to understand how powerful films are made from instinct, rhythm, and emotional clarity—not just craft. Whether you're a film student, aspiring director, AD, editor, content creator, or just a curious movie buff—there’s something here for you.
Do I need any prior experience in filmmaking?
No experience required. Lokesh himself didn’t come up through film school. His process is grounded in observation, passion, and working with teams. You’ll understand his approach even if you’re completely new to the world of filmmaking.
Will I learn how to shoot or write scripts?
Not in the traditional sense. You won’t learn formatting or gear settings. But you will learn how Lokesh crafts moments—how he edits tension, blocks scenes, handles stars and newcomers, builds layered arcs, and choreographs emotion into action. It’s real, applicable, and deeply intuitive.
How long is the Masterclass?
The course includes 20+ video lessons with over 100 mins of content. You can watch it at your own pace—rewind, revisit, pause and absorb whenever you like.
Is this a technical filmmaking course?
No. This is not a technical or academic filmmaking course. Lokesh isn’t teaching shot sizes or camera gear. He’s walking you through how he thinks, how he builds stories, choreographs action, directs actors, and balances emotion with mass appeal.
Who is this Masterclass for?
This is for anyone who loves cinema and wants to understand how powerful films are made from instinct, rhythm, and emotional clarity—not just craft. Whether you're a film student, aspiring director, AD, editor, content creator, or just a curious movie buff—there’s something here for you.
Do I need any prior experience in filmmaking?
No experience required. Lokesh himself didn’t come up through film school. His process is grounded in observation, passion, and working with teams. You’ll understand his approach even if you’re completely new to the world of filmmaking.
Will I learn how to shoot or write scripts?
Not in the traditional sense. You won’t learn formatting or gear settings. But you will learn how Lokesh crafts moments—how he edits tension, blocks scenes, handles stars and newcomers, builds layered arcs, and choreographs emotion into action. It’s real, applicable, and deeply intuitive.
How long is the Masterclass?
The course includes 20+ video lessons with over 100 mins of content. You can watch it at your own pace—rewind, revisit, pause and absorb whenever you like.
What do I get when I enroll?
This course includes 20+ detailed lessons from Lokesh Kanagaraj, offering full lifetime access so you can learn at your own pace. You’ll also receive a signed Certificate of Completion, along with access to downloadable PDFs and case notes for deeper insights. Plus, you’ll gain entry into our exclusive creative community, where you can join discussions and events with like-minded storytellers.
What language is the course in?
The lessons are in simple Tamil with English Subtitles , spoken in Lokesh’s natural, conversational tone. Dubbed versions will soon be available in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
No film background—will it help?
Absolutely. Many learners from tech, design, marketing, and education backgrounds have taken this course. If you’re a storyteller in any form, you’ll connect deeply with Lokesh’s process.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. Upon completing the course, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion signed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. You can download and share it on social media or add it to your creative portfolio.
Is this a one-time payment?
Yes. You pay once and get lifetime access. No renewals, no subscription—just unlock it once and revisit anytime.
What do I get when I enroll?
This course includes 20+ detailed lessons from Lokesh Kanagaraj, offering full lifetime access so you can learn at your own pace. You’ll also receive a signed Certificate of Completion, along with access to downloadable PDFs and case notes for deeper insights. Plus, you’ll gain entry into our exclusive creative community, where you can join discussions and events with like-minded storytellers.
What language is the course in?
The lessons are in simple Tamil with English Subtitles , spoken in Lokesh’s natural, conversational tone. Dubbed versions will soon be available in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
No film background—will it help?
Absolutely. Many learners from tech, design, marketing, and education backgrounds have taken this course. If you’re a storyteller in any form, you’ll connect deeply with Lokesh’s process.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. Upon completing the course, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion signed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. You can download and share it on social media or add it to your creative portfolio.
Is this a one-time payment?
Yes. You pay once and get lifetime access. No renewals, no subscription—just unlock it once and revisit anytime.
Copyright © 2025 LevelUp Learning • All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2025 LevelUp Learning • All Rights Reserved