Naveen Cano crafts cinematic storytelling in Bengaluru’s digital scene

Bengaluru

In Bengaluru’s buzzing, neon-soaked creative circuit, Naveen Cano operates more like a visual alchemist than a conventional filmmaker, blending storytelling with striking digital aesthetics.
A Bengaluru-based digital content creator, he runs the popular Instagram handle @naveencano, where he has built a strong community of over 77,000 followers. He is also the co-founder of ‘Out of Syllabus Productions’ alongside his partner Abhishek Jayakrishna.In January this year, Naveen delivered a TEDxSJCC talk titled ‘Fall of an Idea’, sharing insights from his journey and inspiring aspiring creators.

Curiosity into a creative pursuit
“I always knew I wanted to do something in entertainment,” Naveen said in an exclusive interview with News Trail, reflecting on the early days of his journey into media.An avid basketball player during his school years, he joined Christ University in Bengaluru to pursue the sport further. However, it was there that he took his first steps into the visual arts.During his first year of college, Naveen began posting photographs of himself on Instagram, relying heavily on creativity to compensate for the lack of professional equipment. With limited resources and no professional camera, he taught himself editing and experimented with adding text to images.

“It was all just for fun, and I didn’t think much of it initially,” he recalled.His interest soon expanded to video, where he explored angles, lighting and composition while creating low-budget, high-quality content.
“I loved playing around with videos and trying new ideas,” he said.By then, he had invested in basic tools such as a camera and tripod, but remained uncertain about his prospects due to the absence of a formal portfolio.His first freelance opportunity came through a friend’s referral, for which he charged ?500. “I was nervous but excited,” he recalled. That modest beginning paved the way for many more projects, marking the start of his growing career in visual media.

Campus partners to commercial champions
Naveen recalled his first collaboration with his future co-founder during their third year of college while working on an academic assignment.
“We became partners by coincidence, but we enjoyed working together. That experience led us to consider starting a production company,” he said.
Their plans gathered momentum just before their final examinations, when the Covid-19 lockdown was announced. Despite the uncertainty, the duo decided to proceed with their venture.

The company’s first official project was undertaken for KL Rahul, a member of the Indian national cricket team. The opportunity marked a significant milestone, validating their decision to take an entrepreneurial leap during a challenging period and laying the foundation for their expanding production house.“We focused extensively on creating social media content, but our main ambition was to break into the commercial space,” he said.

Defining his signature style
“I began incorporating visual effects (VFX) into my videos, which helped them stand out,” Naveen said.
He noted that he was creating three- to four-minute videos even before Instagram introduced the Reels feature. His content largely centres on storytelling and cinematic themes.Emphasising the importance of post-production, he explained that the skilled use of VFX and editing enhanced the visual appeal of his work.

He also observed that content consumption patterns have shifted significantly since the pre-COVID period, with audiences increasingly favouring authentic personalities and raw storytelling over heavily edited, overstimulating videos.I started liking the numbers and traction, and that pushed me to understand how different niches work and what kinds of hooks are effective,” he said, describing how he continuously adapts to evolving trends and audience preferences.Naveen added that he has not undertaken brand collaborations on his personal account so far. Instead, he directs brands to approach him through his production house, where professional relationships are managed on a client basis.

Scaling new heights
Naveen said he aims to firmly establish Out of Syllabus Productions in the commercial market, scaling operations and expanding its reach.
“I look forward to taking up fewer but bigger projects in the future,” he said.As a content creator, he added that he intends to keep exploring new ideas and formats but does not plan to monetise his personal platform in the near future.“I am still in an experimental phase and want to keep learning and evolving,” he shared.He expressed gratitude to his wife, Sana Joseph, for her unwavering support throughout his journey. Emphasising innovation, Naveen advised aspiring creators to remain open to constant experimentation.
“A person who keeps experimenting keeps winning,” he said, noting that adaptability and creativity are essential for sustained growth and long-term 
success.