Bigwigs Collaborate to Discuss ‘Cinema as a Catalyst for Change’

National Commission for Women, Netflix, and Annapurna Studios organized an important event in Hyderabad with the theme, “Cinema as a Catalyst for Change” on Monday.

Many say cinema being a form of art is seen as a mirror of our society. However according to the famous German playwright Bertolt Brecht, “Art is not a mirror held up to society but a hammer with which to shape it.” And our Indian cinema from time to time has successfully paved the way for major positive changes in society. The recent event held on September 11, at Hyderabad with the theme of “Cinema as a catalyst for change” discussed the role cinema played in bringing about positive transformations.

Netflix, National Commission for Women (NCW), and Annapurna Studios hosted this event with a panel that included eminent personalities like IPS Anjani Kumar, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma, Ambika Khurana, Director of Public Policy at Netflix, Abhishek Goradia, South Content Head at Netflix, renowned actress and NCW Honourable Member Khushboo Sunder among many others.

In the first panel discussion, the industry stakeholders focused on the collective responsibility of bringing stories that depict bravery to the forefront. They agreed on their duty to promote narratives that motivate and encourage. The panelists unanimously agreed that the ability to influence perspectives and bring about change is based on the stories they choose to tell. DGP of Telangana, IPS Anjani Kumar said,” Cinema is not merely entertainment; it is a catalyst to change.” He gave examples of mainstream movies that tackle societal issues such as widow remarriage, sex workers’ struggles, and drug abuse and encouraged the need to continue this. He also urged filmmakers to project police in a positive light and also mentioned the sacrifices made by them during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chairperson of NCW expressed her pride in the progress made by women in the film industry but was not happy about the industry’s persistent gender pay gap and advocated for equal pay to recognize the worth of women. Member Secretary Meenakshi Negi appreciated how cinema shifted away from stereotypes and towards portraying women as powerful and complex characters. This prompted a deeper analysis of how OTT platforms are popular among women, who make up a different audience from traditional movie-goers.

The second panel featured intriguing discussions about female-driven films and their commercial viability.

This collaborative event was a significant step toward acknowledging cinema’s progress in the country as well as addressing issues that require solutions. Its organizers have a shared commitment to fostering positive transformations and impactful dialogues within the entertainment industry.

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