SRINAGAR: Arhan Bagati, an energetic young Kashmiri Pandit, has carved a unique identity for himself by backing the major Hindi feature film Ground Zero. Stepping beyond the world of cinema, Arhan’s contributions span across national policymaking, championing para-sports, and initiating developmental missions in Jammu and Kashmir at the community level.
Raised in the capital city of India, Arhan comes from a respected Kashmiri Pandit lineage with ancestral links to Bulbul Lanker, an old neighborhood in Srinagar. He completed his early education at The Shri Ram School, located in the Delhi-NCR region. He then travelled to the United States to pursue undergraduate studies at Pomona College in Los Angeles, where he majored in Politics and Asian Studies. Continuing his pursuit of excellence, Arhan is currently attending Harvard Kennedy School to earn a Master’s degree in Public Policy. His academic interests also took him to Cambridge University through a study-abroad opportunity, where he explored subjects such as Political Thought, Jurisprudence, and Creative Literature.
Though comprehensive public information about his father, Tapesh Bagati, and his business profile remains undisclosed, it is widely acknowledged that Arhan’s family has been a constant source of encouragement in his diverse endeavors. His mother, Anubha Bagati, received the Hindustan Times 30 Under 30 Social Impact Leaders award on his behalf, reflecting the family’s pride in his accomplishments.
In 2021, Arhan laid the foundation for the Kashmir’s Yumberzal Applied Research Institute, or KYARI—a Srinagar-based private think tank dedicated to practical research. KYARI’s focus includes areas like education, environmental resilience, gender equity, and youth empowerment within the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Under Arhan’s guidance, the institution has launched initiatives in rural hospitality, eco-conscious living, climate resilience, and the overall betterment of nomadic groups such as the Bakarwals.
Arhan has also played a pivotal role in promoting inclusiveness in sports. As the Awareness and Impact Ambassador for the Paralympic Committee of India, he has helped conceptualize digital platforms such as InRio and IndTokyo, offering essential assistance to Indian para-athletes. He made history by becoming the youngest Indian to serve as Deputy Chef de Mission at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and continues to contribute through key appointments in organizing global parasport competitions like the World Shooting Para Sports World Cup.
With Ground Zero, Arhan has taken a bold leap into the world of cinema. The movie, entirely filmed in Kashmir, reflects his ambition to revive the cinematic presence in the valley while boosting job creation for local communities. Through such projects, Arhan hopes to project Kashmir’s artistic legacy and breathtaking landscape on a national and international scale, aiming to catalyze a cultural and economic renaissance.
From Delhi’s classrooms to international institutions, and from policy forums to film studios, Arhan Bagati’s remarkable journey is defined by intellect, service, and creativity. His inspiring path places him among the emerging changemakers of Jammu and Kashmir—offering promise and motivation to a new generation of dreamers.
