Akshay spent his early years in the foothills of the Himalayas, and took up photography while at school. He did his masters from MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia, specialising in cinematography.

He worked on numerous feature films and documentaries, working as an assistant on films like One Night with the King, The Forest, Life in a Metro, Woh Lamhe and Seher, and as a camera operator/ 2 nd Unit DoP on West is West, Kites, Rajneeti, Chakravyuh and Bhaag Milka Bhaag.

His first independent feature film was Turning 30!, and has been the cinematographer of many critically acclaimed films and series since. He likes the narrative to dictate his style of lighting, camerawork and colour grade, and leans towards a natural and realistic aesthetic.

Akshay has a keen interest in mountaineering, the natural history of the subcontinent and the environment, and has shot several wildlife and environmental documentaries.