Tirlok Malik is a pioneering Indian-American filmmaker, actor, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate whose work has helped shape the narrative of the Indian diaspora in the United States. Based in New York City, he is a New York Emmy Award-nominated producer and the founder of Apple Productions , through which he has spent more than three decades creating films that explore the experiences, aspirations, and cultural identity of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). His landmark debut feature, Lonely in America (1990), is widely regarded as the first Indian-American feature film, earning international acclaim with screenings at 37 film festivals and a broadcast on HBO.

Over the years, Malik has continued to build a distinguished career in cinema with acclaimed productions including Love, Lust and Marriage, Khushiyaan—featuring the final musical recordings of legendary ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh—and On Golden Years. In addition to writing, producing, directing, and acting, he has served as a line producer for major Bollywood productions filmed in the United States, working alongside celebrated stars such as Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Sanjay Dutt. His contributions have established him as one of the most influential voices in Indian-American filmmaking and multicultural storytelling.

India Gold Medal, the New York Citizens Award, and several civic recognitions for his contributions to culture and community, Malik continues to inspire audiences worldwide. As a member of the Honorary Board of Advisors of the Pune Ideas Festival, he brings a unique global perspective on storytelling, entrepreneurship, wellness, and cultural diplomacy, enriching the festival's vision of celebrating transformative ideas and global innovation.