Leaving IAS for Cannes

Who does that?!

We’ve all grown up hearing how becoming an IAS officer is the dream. The ultimate badge of success. But what happens when someone reaches that milestone and still feels like something’s missing?

That is where Abhishek Singh’s tale begins. Having cleared one of India’s most challenging exams and served in the Indian Administrative Service for over a decade, Abhishek did the unthinkable… he quit.

Not because he wasn’t good at his job… in fact, he excelled. From transforming public systems to helming mammoth governance projects and even working in the Chief Minister’s Office, he had a decorated career. But deep within, another calling stirred… a desire to serve without boundaries, through stories, art, and culture.

“I didn’t leave the IAS just to make films — I left to make an impact, without boundaries. Cannes was never the destination. It was a symbol that I’m on the right path.”

He’s Not Just Telling Stories… He’s Telling Our Stories

Abhishek hails from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, and during his years of service, he saw the parts of India often overlooked… communities with rich histories, folk traditions, and cultural depth, yet largely unheard.

His transition to filmmaking wasn’t a whim or vanity project. It was purposeful.

“The IAS gave me the power to serve. But I realized true service doesn’t need a uniform — it needs purpose. Today, I’m telling untold stories through cinema, building youth-led platforms like Yuva Seva Shakti, and running grassroots campaigns in health and social justice.”

At Cannes, Abhishek didn’t just represent India as a filmmaker. He carried with him the spirit of forgotten histories, like the story of India’s erased past, and the voices of those who rarely find global recognition.

“When I walked the red carpet at Cannes with a film on India’s erased history, it wasn’t just about global recognition — it was about taking the soul of India to the world.”

From working on grassroots health and social justice campaigns to building platforms for youth empowerment, Abhishek is reimagining what public service can look like — without the red tape.

From Red Tape to Red Carpet

Abhishek’s journey is not a rejection of governance but an evolution of it.

“Governance shaped my discipline. Stories gave me a voice. Together, they became a mission. And I will carry that mission — from the dusty lanes of Jaunpur to the lights of Cannes—wherever the impact calls.”

His story reminds us that purpose can outshine position. That impact isn’t always worn as a badge but sometimes captured in a lens.

So, if you’re mired in a job that doesn’t light you up or questioning if it’s too late to change lanes… Think of Abhishek Singh.

He chose courage over comfort. And Cannes over convention.

Maybe your red carpet moment is waiting too.