Indian cinema | Cannes 2023 | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryIndia’s soft power takes centerstage: Indian cinema and celebrities shine at Cannes 2023

India’s soft power takes centerstage: Indian cinema and celebrities shine at Cannes 2023

Compiled by: Charu Thakur

(May 21, 2023) “India is now on the global stage in world cinema, and it’s an honour to be a part of this momentous occasion,” said Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga, as she yet again made it to the Cannes red carpet. Clad in a golden-toned saree, she attended Cannes 2023 as part of the Indian delegation. “It makes my heart swell with pride to see Indian cinema being cherished on a global stage at a prestigious film festival such as Cannes. To be able to celebrate the power of Indian cinema and witness its ability to bring people together is no less than a spectacle,” added Monga, who first made it to Cannes almost a decade ago. For years, she has been backing India’s new wave of films, many of which have screened at Cannes. And this year is no different, as India has once again made an indelible mark on the global landscape at Cannes Film Festival. Yet again, the Indian film industry displayed a spectacular show of soft power, reinforcing its standing in international cinema and garnering attention worldwide.

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Celebrating Indian cinema and culture

Leading the Indian contingent was Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, who wowed the audience in Cannes by making an entry in a traditional veshti, pairing it with a shirt which features the national tricolour on the left and the G20 logo on the right. “The G20 logo on my shirt represents the year-long plan of showcasing our rich heritage to the world. It’s a moment of pride in representing the tricolour on a global platform like Cannes red carpet,” he said, as he inaugurated the Indian pavilion (designed and conceptualised by the National institute of Design, Ahmedabad) at the film festival.

Cannes 2023 | Indian Cinema

It was in 2022 that India was named the Country of Honour at Cannes Market, putting the spotlight on the country’s cinema, culture, and heritage, and a perfect celebration of its soft power. And this year, India is taking the baton forward by showcasing India’s creative economy at International Village Riviera. Sara Ali Khan, who made her debut at Cannes 2023, is happy that Indian cinema is reaching out to a global audience. She said, “We should be proud of and even more vocal about the culture that we have and that we should be able to bring to the rest of the world. I think cinema and art transcend language, regions and nationalities. We should come together and while we are here, on a global stage representing our country, we should continue to not forget who we are so that we can remain organic in the content that we create because I think that’s exactly what resonates with the rest of the world,” adding, “Being Indian and proud of our Indianness but also being global citizens, not being afraid of doing more and having a louder voice and more self-presence in cinema and general, worldwide!”

Sara Ali Khan | Global Indian | Cannes 2023

Sara Ali Khan at Cannes 2023

Indian films at Cannes 2023

The resounding presence of Indian films like Agra, Kennedy, Ishanou and Nehemich at the festival has solidified India’s position in the global film industry. If Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy, which has been selected for the Midnight Screenings’ Section of the Cannes Film Festival, is about a former police officer who is believed to be dead but is still seeking atonement, Kanu Behl’s Agra examines the sexual dynamics inside a family and the profound rifts that are emerging in contemporary India due to a shortage of physical space. Interestingly, Ishanou, a 1990 film by Aribam Syam Sharma, will be presented at the Cannes Film Festival in the Classic Section.

These films, with their rich storytelling, authentic performances, and meticulously crafted aesthetics, have not only managed to break into the festival’s screening list but have also been widely appreciated by a diverse international audience. The narratives, steeped in Indian culture and social dynamics, have added a unique perspective to the array of films screened at the festival, widening the spectrum of global cinema.

While Indian films have become a regular at Cannes in the recent past, the film festival’s first tryst with Indian cinema began in 1946 when Chetan Anand’s Neecha Nagar became the first Indian film to win the Palme d’Or (which was earlier called Grand Prix du Festival International du Film), the highest honour in cinema. The next big turn came in 1954 when Bimal Roy’s Do Bigha Zamin was honoured at the Prix Internationale at Cannes, followed by Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali in 1956. For decades, Indian films like Devdas, Salaam Bombay, Titli, and Udaan have satiated the palates of film aficionados across the globe.

The red-carpet enigma

Moreover, Indian celebrities have shown their influence, walking the red carpet with grace, confidence, and aplomb. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a Cannes veteran, once again captivated the global audience with her stunning presence. She strutted down the red carpet in a silver and black mystical hooded gown as she arrived for the screening of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Manushi Chillar, with her effortless elegance, and Sara Ali Khan, the young and vivacious actress making her Cannes debut, both exemplified the diversity of Indian cinema and its ability to transcend boundaries. The presence of these actresses at Cannes has elevated the profile of Indian cinema on the international stage.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan | Global Indian | Cannes 2023

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Cannes 2023

Furthermore, their red-carpet appearances have been more than mere fashion statements. They have used this global platform to articulate their views on pertinent issues, thereby amplifying India’s voice in global discourses. Their charisma, combined with their eloquence, has made them effective ambassadors for Indian cinema and culture.

The domination of Indian films and celebrities at Cannes is a testament to the growing clout of India’s soft power. It signifies the increasing acceptance and appreciation of Indian stories and storytelling techniques, signifying a shift in the global perception of Indian cinema. No longer seen as an exotic offshoot of global cinema, Indian films are now considered a formidable force that contributes significantly to the international film repertoire. It’s an exciting time for Indian cinema, with its influence set to rise even further in the coming years.

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Published on 21, May 2023

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Afforestt: Shubhendu Sharma shows you how to grow a 100-year old forest in 10 years

(August 7, 2024) In 2010, Shubhendu Sharma decided to try something in his backyard. He cleared the grass from the 75-sq metre space, in Kashipur, Uttarakhand. Shubhendu began with the soil, making sure that it could hold moisture and nutrients. Then, he planted over 200 saplings, all of them native to the area, comprising around 19 species of shrubs and trees like timber, guava, and mulberry. In a couple of years, the shrubs and trees were growing tall and thick, the dead leaves would decompose into humus and convert to nutrients, as the forest became a single, living, breathing organism that can regenerate forever. This is the Miyawaki Method, named after Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, one of Shubhendu's teachers and his great inspiration. Now, as the founder of Afforestt, Shubhendu takes inspiration from the Miyawaki Method to grow mini forests in homes, schools, factories and open spaces, creating 75 forests in 25 cities across the world, including the USA, Netherlands, Singapore, Pakistan and India. [caption id="attachment_51553" align="aligncenter" width="745"] The forest in Shubhendu's backyard. Photo: Afforest[/caption] Afforestation is not as simple as planting a bunch of trees. A forest functions as a single organism made up of trees, shrubs, herbs, fungi

"745" height="453" /> The forest in Shubhendu's backyard. Photo: Afforest[/caption]

Afforestation is not as simple as planting a bunch of trees. A forest functions as a single organism made up of trees, shrubs, herbs, fungi and million sof other organisms, all of which interact with each other and their surroundings. But until 2009, Shubhendu Sharma had not thought about all these things. Growing up in Nainital, he loved machines and how they work, and wanted to be a engineer. He followed through on his dream, graduating with a degree in engineering and landing a job at the top company on his list - Toyota, where he specialised at making cars. He learned how to convert natural resources into products, how sap was dripped out of the acacia tree and converted to rubber to make tyres. "We separate elements from nature and convert them into an irreversible state. That's industrial production. Nature, on the other hand, works by bringing elements together, atom by atom."

Then, in 2009, Toyota invited Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki to plant a forest at their factory, Miyawaki's first forest in India. "I was so fascinated just by looking at pictures of his work in his presentation that I joined his team as a volunteer," says the Global Indian. "I learned the methodology and like any engineer, I wrote a standard operating procedure on how to make a forest." He volunteered at the afforestation of the Toyota factory, and for the next year and a half, observed, studied and wrote manuals on the Miyawaki Method.

The Miyawaki method: A deep dive

Miyawaki believed that if a land is deprived of human intervention, the forest will return to it. This begins with grasses, then small shrubs, trees that are pioneer species, usually soft wood that are fast growing, and finally slow growing trees like oak start to appear, Shubhendu explains.

[caption id="attachment_51555" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Shubhendu Sharma | Afforestt | Global Indian Visual credit: Shubhendu Sharma | TED[/caption]

"To make a forest, we start with soil. We touch, feel and even taste it to identify w hat it lacks." Soil that is too compact won't allow water to seep in and is mixed with locally available biomass, like peet, so the soil can absorb water and remain moist." Plants need water, sunlight and nutrition to grow. If the soil doesn't have nutrients, they don't just add them. Instead, they add micro organisms to the soil which feed on the biomass, multiply and produce nutrients for the soil.

The other important thing is to use only native species. "What existed before human intervention is native," Shubhendu explains. They survey national parks and reserves to find the last remains of a forest, the sacred grooves and forests around old temples. If they don't find anything they visit museums to identify the species that belong there. "Then we identify the layers - shrubs, sub-tree, tree and canopy." They sometimes make fruit bearing and flowering forests, those that attract a lot of birds and bees, or simply a native, wild evergreen forest. "We collect the trees and germinate the saplings and make sure the trees belonging to the same layer are not planted side by side or they will fight with each other for sunlight."

Finally, on the surface of the soil goes a thick layer of mulch, so the soil can stay moist when it is cold, and remain protected from frost in the winter. Even while it's freezing outside, Shubhendu says, "the soil is so soft that roots can penetrate rapidly."

How does the forest grow?

In the first three months, roots reach a depth of 1 meter. These roots form a mesh, tightly holding the soil. Microbes and fungi live through this network of roots. “If nutrition is not available in the vicinity of a tree, these microbes will bring the nutrition to it.,” says Shubhendu. Whenever it rains, mushrooms appear overnight. This means that the soil below has a healthy fungal network. Once these roots are established, the forest grows on the surface.

[caption id="attachment_51554" align="aligncenter" width="513"] Shubhendu Sharma | Afforestt | Global Indian Shubhendu Sharma[/caption]

“As it grows, for the next two or three years, we water the forest,” he says. “We want to keep all the soil and nutrition only for the trees.” As the forest grows, it blocks the sunlight. Eventually, it becomes so dense that sunlight can't reach the ground anymore. Weeds cannot grow because they need sunlight too. At this stage, every drop of rainwater that falls into the forest doesn't evaporate back into the atmosphere. This dense forest condenses moist air and retains the moisture.

“Eventually, we stop watering the forest, and even without watering it, the floor stays moist, sometimes dark,” Shubhendu says. When a leaf falls on the forest floor and starts decaying, this decaying biomass forms humus, which is food for the forest. As the forest grows, more leaves fall, so that means more humus, more food, and the forest keeps growing exponentially. Once established, the forests will regenerate again and again, probably forever. In a natural forest like this, no management is the best management. “It's a tiny jungle party. This forest grows as a collective. If the same trees, the same species had been planted independently, it won't grow so fast. And this is how we create a 100-year-old forest in just 10 years.”

Learn more about Afforestt on their website.

An atypical life: How Ferose VR drives the diversity mindset

When his eighteen-month-old son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, VR Ferose's world came undone. Until that fateful moment, life had been very kind to him. At 33, he was the MD of SAP Labs, had married the love of his life and was joyously celebrating the birth of his first child. His first question to the doctor was, "How do I fix this?" But there is no making someone "un-autistic." The news sent Ferose spiralling into depression. "For the first time, here was something I couldn't control. I was used to being in control," he says, as he connects with Global Indian. In the end, it was his mentor and long-time friend, Kiran Bedi, who gave him the answer he needed: "People spend their whole lives trying to understand what their purpose is, you're incredibly lucky that purpose has found you." She told him that he could dedicate his time to his primary responsibility - taking care of his son, which he does. Or, he could use the considerable means and power at his disposal to lend a voice to a historically marginalised community - people with disabilities. Ferose chose the latter. Since the birth of his son, he

ple with disabilities. Ferose chose the latter.

VR Ferose | India Inclusion Summit

Since the birth of his son, he has gone on to write four books, attend two UN conferences, speak at the World Economic Forum and is the founder of the India Inclusion Summit. He also started the Autism at Work program, which fetched him numerous awards and also became a Harvard Case Study. In 2014, he wrote GIFTED, with Sudha Menon, which went on to win him the Kannada Sahitya Academy Award. His most recent offering is the graphic novel GRIT: The Vishwas story, with Sriram Jagannathan.

Rising above adversity

VR Ferose hardly needs an introduction. Based in San Ramon, he heads the SAP Academy for Engineering. He has played many roles during his 23-year association with the company, including making Managing Director at 33 and a stint as the head of the Globalisation Services Unit. That's his professional life. Over the last decade, Ferose has emerged as one of the leading voices of inclusion and diversity, and of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). According to The Invisible Majority, PwDs make up a staggering 15 percent of the global population. While our imaginations (and a lack of awareness) limit us to images of people in wheelchairs and the blind, the term itself is constantly evolving. "Simply put, we are disabled if our inability to carry out daily activities hinders us from participating fully in society," they write.

It's well past midnight in California when he arrives for our virtual meeting. In the background, I can see his vast collection of books – over three thousand, he says, all of them signed. He is visibly exhausted - he has spent the day taking care of his son, who needs full-time care and the couple’s lives are centered around making sure he gets it. “I can speak to you now that Vivaan is sleeping.” Even so, he gives me his full attention - over the years, time has become Ferose's most valued asset. It isn't always given out, but when he does, he does so fully. "I have done my research on you," he says. "I looked to see if this was worth my time before I said yes."

"Everything I have achieved so far has been because of my son," he says. "Yes, I have had a successful career but corporate roles come and go and nobody cares. What matters is doing something that is meaningful to someone else. I was leading a life of success then but now I'm leading one that's far more significant." The quiet strength he exudes is an acquired trait, learned the hard way.

The diversity mindset

"If you have role models at home who embody that spirit, it is the best way," he remarks. Ferose was born in 1974 and since his father worked in the Railways, the family travelled extensively across the country. He was exposed, at an early age, to India's cultural diversity. Ferose went on to study at the Regional Engineering College (now the National Institutes of Technology) in Warangal, founded by Nehru with the mission to promote national integrity. "I had classmates from every state in the country. It gave me a broader perspective of the world."

Life carried on in the same vein - "I'm a Muslim from Kerala, my wife is a Hindu Brahmin from Maharashtra. Diversity is a mindset, a way of life and we have it, even at home." Later, his career would take him all over the world - he has travelled to over 40 countries. "We tend to complicate the concept now," he smiles. "They categorise it as gender, disability, race and so on, it keeps on changing. At a fundamental level, it's a mindset and that's all."

After college, Ferose moved to Chennai to begin work as a systems analyst at Ramco Systems. He boarded the train with a gift of Rs 1,500 from his father, which allowed him to buy "a shirt, a pair of pants, and a pair of shoes." In his blog, he reminisces about waiting eagerly for salary day and "being broke mid-month."

The SAP journey

Ferose first joined SAP Labs as a software engineer and his tipping point came early when, in 2005, he moved to Germany as the Executive Assistant to to SAP Board Member Gerhard Oswald. He was one of the first people from India to be given that role.

In 2007, he was made MD of SAP Labs India, Gurgaon. "That happened very quickly," he smiles. "We can only ever connect the dots in retrospect but at that time, I never thought I would achieve the kind of progression that I did." It was also the year his son was born. Between then and 2012, Ferose made huge leaps in inclusion and diversity at SAP, including setting up Prayas Lab as part of the 'Autism at Work' pilot case study. He was also selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and founded the India Inclusion Summit. Under his leadership, SAP Labs India was ranked, for the very first time, as a Great Place to Work.

[caption id="attachment_35296" align="aligncenter" width="621"] VR Ferose | India Inclusion Summit Ferose with former SAP Board Member Gerhard Oswald[/caption]

Three things are vital to success, he believes - mentors, coaches and sponsors. "I had all those things." As his professional life continued to shine, Arun Shourie and Kiran Bedi were among those who stood by him through a much more significant journey. He went from a victim to an agent of change. If Bedi had told him that he had found a life purpose, Shourie, who is also father to a profoundly disabled son, helped him see what he could do. In his book, Does He know a Mother's Heart, Shourie tries to understand what religions say about disability. The 'karma' theory blames the parents, which is harsh. Shourie settles in the end on what the Buddhists had to say - the highest form of service is to take care of somebody who can't give you anything in return. Shourie told Ferose to drive the narrative to change the mindset.

Changing the narrative

Shourie's words inspired Ferose to found the India Inclusion Summit, a conference that celebrates differences. "It's not about feeling sorry for people. We need to go from sympathy to empathy and from there, to compassion." As Ferose did his work, he found that the community was crippled by society itself. Caregiving, Ferose learned, was done mostly by mothers and the birth of a disabled child has ended many a marriage. "I would go to therapy sessions with ten other people and be the only male in the room," he says.

Awareness was vital. As he came to terms with his own life, he had run through the gammut of mistakes himself, including trying to find "a cure." He read books that promised one, driven by the idea that that Autism was a problem that needed to be solved. Until he realised that he was going about it the wrong way - everyone is unique, with their own strengths and shortcomings. Today, that narrative has changed. "Our idea is that for every condition there is an enhanced ability. If you are blind, you can hear better. The key was to change a predominantly negative narrative and make it positive."

Driving social change

[caption id="attachment_35297" align="aligncenter" width="598"] VR Ferose | India Inclusion Summit VR Ferose receives the AUCD award from Senator Tom Harkins for Autism at Work[/caption]

Much recognition has come his way for his efforts. In 2014, he was in the India's Top 40 under 40 by Economic Times and Spenser Stuart. Two years later, Autism at Work became a Harvard case study.

Awards aside, Ferose is aware that a lasting impact is not easy, or even quantifiable, really. Change can take a lifetime and he knows that he might not even see it happen. "Still, we do our bit." After having run the Inclusion Summit for over a decade, he is often asked about the impact. "I have no clue," he admits. "That can only be measured later. I am here to do my small bit to make a difference. Our fundamental aim is to spread awareness - when people are sensitised, they will act."

Follow Ferose on LinkedIn

Karl Rock: A New Zealander who specialises in creating online content about all things India

(November 20, 2023) He shares his recipe for Chai Masala and Chhole Bhature, speaks in Hindi with his in-laws, and even makes chai for them. Meet Karl Rock, a content creator who loves everything about India – food, travel, quirks and all. Karl Rock’s greeting over email or a conversation is always a Namaste. He speaks fluent Hindi and cooks everything from the age-old malpua [his wife’s family’s traditional recipe at that] to Chhole Bhature. And he can make a very good cup of tea, with Chai Masala. His heritage? He is from New Zealand. A canned version of butter chicken that Karl Rock had, at the age of 17 or 18, in faraway Auckland, made him fall in love with Indian food. A category of cuisine he admits he had not sampled earlier. “I fell in love with Indian food when I had butter chicken. My then girlfriend was just taking the stuff out of a can and heating it up. She told me to try it just once. It was horrible stuff compared to what Indian food really is, but it blew my mind. I have been fascinated with India and everything about it since then,” recalls the

ian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20180724_092913-01-1024x768.jpeg" alt="Cuisine | Karl Rock | Global Indian " width="891" height="668" />

A canned version of butter chicken that Karl Rock had, at the age of 17 or 18, in faraway Auckland, made him fall in love with Indian food. A category of cuisine he admits he had not sampled earlier. “I fell in love with Indian food when I had butter chicken. My then girlfriend was just taking the stuff out of a can and heating it up. She told me to try it just once. It was horrible stuff compared to what Indian food really is, but it blew my mind. I have been fascinated with India and everything about it since then,” recalls the content creator who has over 2.77 million followers on his YouTube channel and over 184,000 on Instagram.

In love with India

In an exclusive with Global Indian, Karl shares how his love for travel, which has taken him all across the globe, found its eureka moments in India. He says, “I wanted to explore India and Indian food; 20 years later, I am still discovering aspects to it.” From food to tips on safe travel to recipes for chai masala and on how to speak fluent Hindi too, Karl’s blogs on his website, and videos on YouTube and Instagram are a bundle of surprises.

He features places we, living in India, have perhaps never heard of – like a mysterious crater created by a meteorite falling in Maharashtra; to singing praises of the white sands of Lakshwadeep and the Andamans, Karl’s enthusiasm is infectious. It is refreshing to get insights into the land of one’s birth through the eyes of someone who comes from more than 15000 miles away. He freely shares recipes too on social media; of dishes he has made successfully. He says, “I find recipes online, and them make them many times until I get the masalas and the method right so the dish tastes the way it does at my favourite restaurants. I wouldn't dare ask a restaurant its secret recipe, but we can get close with trial and error. I have shared the recipe for chai masala that is my own recipe, adapted from Chef Ranveer Brar’s on YouTube; and at home I am the chaiwala for my mother-in-law and myself.” As for the Chhole Bhature he loves to have once a week at Gopalji’s in Pitampura, in Delhi, he says the owner has not shared how it’s made, but Karl has reverse engineered it. “The Chhole Bhature there is the best in the world and the version I have taught myself to make, I would say is 80 per cent close to the original.”  

Cuisine | Karl Rock | Global Indian

Making India Popular

Karl’s content has something for everyone – from us locals to foreigners who want to visit. He gives helpful tips on everything a traveller would need help with, like videos on how to catch a train, taking a road trip, how to eat at a dhaba and more. He also maintains his integrity while doing so. He says, “I don’t do paid reviews for anything. I cover food, travel, and share my family life and advice about safety based on my own experiences. I am not a greedy person; the content I create does get monetised and it’s enough for me. I am happy doing what I do.”

Karl is married to Manisha Mallik, who hails from Hansi near Hisar in Haryana. Manisha too is a busy content creator, though her field is traditional Indian fashion. She is also a vociferous speaker about the condition of vitiligo and has candidly shared posts about her own ordeal with it. Karl and Manisha travel together often and spend their time shuttling between New Delhi and Haryana. He has even learnt Hindi and informs us, with perfect diction that “Main Hindi bol sakta hoon.” He talks to his saas and sasur in Hindi who treat him like their own son.

Cuisine | Karl Rock | Global Indian

Love for Indian Food

Since Karl has been exploring India and has been to every state, and sampled the cuisine of each one, asking him to recall anecdotes is a tough ask. He reiterates that asking him about his favourite food too is impossible, but he does have some dishes he considers ‘mind-blowing.’ “I’d say, the Haleem in Hyderabad and Parsi food in Mumbai which I had not had earlier, like the Berry Pulao at Britannia’s Café. Even in Bhubhaneshwar, there is a temple where the priests cook inside the temple with traditional recipes and locally sourced ingredients used since ancient times. They sell the food outside in the market next to the temple. It is simple and so very tasty.”

Karl also adds that Indian food is not what is served overseas. He says, “Indian food is not a chilli bomb as it is projected. Nor is it the creamy Punjabi version we get everywhere. Indian food is a lot plainer and simpler; every state has a different cuisine and I have been everywhere from Mizoram to Lakshwadeep – I love the food I have had in all the states.” And that has toughened his stomach, though he reveals that he probably gets sick with a tummy bug maybe once a year due to carelessness with drinking water, if at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvdFCQePeKo

Ask him about a trip he would recommend that is his favourite and he promptly says, “It would have to be a road trip from Delhi to Ladakh. I have done it twice – once on a bike and once in a car. I would say it is the ultimate and the best road trip in the world, not just in India.”

He also believes that when it comes to global trends in cuisine, Indian food is growing in popularity. “I find that restaurants serving authentic Indian food are increasing. In Auckland, where my parents live, 20 years ago, we barely had any Indian restaurants. Now, there is a whole street dedicated to Indian food.”

The avid traveller plans to continue travelling with his wife as much and as frequently as he can. And no, there is no cookbook on the horizon because Karl believes in generously sharing his recipes for free online. Makes sense for other travel aficionados to follow him.

Karl’s Favourite Eats:

Chhole Bhature at Shri Gopal Ji's in Rohini, Delhi
Shahi Dal at Mian Ji Hotel, Hasan Abdal, Punjab, Pakistan
Ghee Roast Masala Dosa at Umesh Refreshments, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Mutton Biryani at Paradise, Auckland, New Zealand
Hansi Ke Pede at Mithai Gali, Hansi, Hary

Follow Karl Rock on YouTube, Instagram and his website

Reading Time: 5 mins

Indian filmmaker Alka Raghuram shines the spotlight on social issues with a unique perspective

(January 13, 2022) As a young girl growing up in the Indore of the 1980s, Indian filmmaker Alka Raghuram watched films on rare occasions. Back then with no home television sets or access to world cinema, her exposure to the world of films was limited. Yet, when the artistically-inclined Alka came across a filmmaking course at a San Francisco community college, the whole idea fascinated her enough to want to study the nuances of filmmaking. Today, the award-winning Indian filmmaker brings to life hitherto overlooked subjects with a fresh perspective. From exploring the lives of Muslim women boxers in Kolkata with her award-winning film Burqa Boxers to highlighting the abuse women face on an everyday basis, and creating video vignettes for dance performances, this Indian-American filmmaker has a finger in every pie. Burqa Boxers premiered at the MAMI Film Festival in 2016 and earned rave reviews. The documentary also screened at the Locarno Film Festival where it received the Best Project Award. [caption id="attachment_18758" align="aligncenter" width="1147"] A still from Burqa Boxers[/caption] From UP to the US Born in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich, Indian filmmaker Alka spent the first eight years of her life in Himachal Pradesh where her mother Saroj Mehrotra worked as a teacher. At age eight, the family moved to Indore where

/> A still from Burqa Boxers[/caption]

From UP to the US

Born in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich, Indian filmmaker Alka spent the first eight years of her life in Himachal Pradesh where her mother Saroj Mehrotra worked as a teacher. At age eight, the family moved to Indore where her father Balraj Mehrotra worked with a company that manufactured welding electrodes. Back in the 80s, Alka says, Indore has its own constraints. “I was always artistically-inclined and wanted to pursue a course in applied arts, for which scope was limited in Indore,” says the eldest of three siblings, who then moved to Mumbai to do her fashion designing from SNDT College.

“Back then, matters like whether one should be allowed to go to a co-educational college or opt for something close to home were major factors,” Alka tells Global Indian. “However, my maternal grandfather was quite liberal and my mother moved out of home as a young woman to study, and at 21 got a job and lived alone in Himachal Pradesh. Which is why we could think of going beyond the norm and expand our horizons,” the Indian filmmaker recalls.

Following her graduation, Alka worked with a garment export firm for a years. It was around this time that she met her husband V Raghuram, an engineer. After they got married, Raghuram got an opportunity to move to the US, and the couple set up home in California’s Bay Area in the early 1990s.

Indian Filmmaker | Alka Raghuram | Burqa Boxers

A bend in the road

“The first couple of years were spent in getting oriented to the new way of life. Everything was so different,” recalls this 53-year-old Indian filmmaker. “I’d watched the film Edward Scissorhands and the whole place was like in the movie. I’d read Vikram Seth’s The Golden Gate and when we drove down the Golden Gate Bridge and had coffee at Caffe Trieste, I couldn’t believe that the books I’d read or the movies I’d watched were coming to life,” she says.

A shift like this, though disorienting, also afforded her the opportunity to re-evaluate her future choices. “I wanted to go back to school. Given my childhood passion for painting and illustration, I thought I’d become a children’s book illustrator. That’s when I came across a filmmaking course at a local college. It seemed so esoteric; growing up filmmaking wasn’t something that I’d even considered. When I took the course, I fell in love with the art,” she says.

Alka went on to undertake several filmmaking related classes before she decided to pursue her masters in filmmaking from San Francisco State University. By that time, she had two young children, but the love for filmmaking spurred her to juggle both worlds. “It was a very hands-on course. I particularly enjoyed Professor Bill Nickels’ classes. They grounded my work in ethics, how to approach people and represent them. It taught me the power dynamics and made me aware of the moral component of filmmaking,” avers Alka, who made her first film after her graduation.

[caption id="attachment_18759" align="aligncenter" width="1138"] Indian Filmmaker | Alka Raghuram | Burqa Boxers A still from Burqa Boxers[/caption]

Entry into cinema

Panchali, a five-minute short, stemmed from a newspaper article she’d read about a girl being sexually assaulted on a Mumbai local train and how no one stepped forward to help her. The incident left an indelible mark and Panchali was a juxtaposition of this girl and Draupadi’s disrobement from the Mahabharata. “It was an experimental film with a lot of back and forth between the two women,” she says of the film that went on to become a quarter finalist at the Student Oscars.

In 2014, Alka collaborated with dancers Pandit Chitresh Das (Kathak) and Antonio Hidalgo Paz (Flamenco) to create video vignettes for their performance Yatra. Ever since, she has been collaborating with the Chitresh Das Dance Academy and in 2022, she is set to work on their new production Invoking the River that will throw the spotlight on the River Yamuna and its degradation.

Claim to fame

In the mid-2000s Alka also came across several reports in the media about Muslim women boxers in Kolkata. The story fascinated her and led her to reach out to Asit Banerjee, who was at that time associated with the West Bengal Boxing Federation. “When I read about these women, I was fascinated and I also identified with them in a way, given my upbringing in Indore of the 80s. I wondered if these women had a support system and what led them to think of and see a world beyond their social structure,” she says, adding that Asit introduced her to Razia Shabnam, who coaches these women boxers in Kolkata.

“I visited Razia and she ran this coaching centre out of a raggedy gym. She also took me to New Light, an NGO that rehabilitates children of sex workers, whom she taught as well. As Razia worked, I followed her and met several young girls. As I did, many stories and characters emerged,” says the Indian filmmaker, who spent the first year establishing a rapport with her subjects.

In the meanwhile, she received a development grant from ITVS that helped her begin filming with a minimal crew. Four years later when the film was ready, she was invited to the Locarno Film Festival, where she won top honours. She also met a French co-producer 24 Images, which helped her complete the film.

Indian Filmmaker | Alka Raghuram | Burqa Boxers

When the film premiered at MAMI in 2016, it was very well-received. “That a woman like Razia lives and thrives in her community came as a surprise to many. That feminism came from within her made a lot of us, including me, step out of our bubbles,” explains the filmmaker, who also loves dabbling in ceramics and sculpting.

Currently, she is preparing to begin filming her feature film - Ayna. “It is a psychological thriller and I hope to begin filming later this year. I’m also working on a documentary called Blueprint of Love, which explores the kinds of facilities that people with serious mental illnesses require, and how to design them,” says Alka, who loves long walks in her neighbourhood, and reading and painting too.

As she shuttles between India and the US, she says she misses India tremendously. “It is home. Every time I step into the airport here, and the visceral smell of India hits me, I know I am home,” she says.

For budding filmmakers, she advices, “Don’t try to find different stories. It’s quite likely that someone else has the same idea. What will set you apart is your perspective and your vision. It is what I have to keep reminding myself when I’m picking a subject.”

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Reading Time: 10 mins

From Pushkar to the UK: Vishal Tolambia on a mission to revolutionise sustainable fashion

(November 15, 2024) In the bustling lanes of Pushkar, a small town in Rajasthan, artisans work with skill and heart, carrying on a tradition of creating textiles and garments with a story. Today, these very craftspeople are making an impact far beyond Indian borders, reaching the fashion hubs of the UK and beyond. Leading this movement is Vishal Tolambia, a 27-year-old visionary whose roots in Pushkar's garment industry have grown into an international initiative for sustainable fashion. "Over 1,600,000 tonnes of textile waste is generated even before a garment reaches a consumer, and directly ends up in landfills," says Vishal, the founder of Humanity Centred Designs. Based in the UK, Vishal has developed an innovative technology to convert pre-consumer textile waste into a durable, flexible recycled material. His work earned him a spot on Forbes' 2024 30 Under 30, but his journey began years earlier in the town of Pushkar, where his family's deep ties to the garment industry shaped his values and ambitions. A Legacy in Textiles and a Commitment to Sustainability Vishal's journey began at home, where textiles were part of everyday life. His grandfather was a tailor in a village near Ajmer, a skill passed down to

5>A Legacy in Textiles and a Commitment to Sustainability

Vishal's journey began at home, where textiles were part of everyday life. His grandfather was a tailor in a village near Ajmer, a skill passed down to Vishal's father, who built a garment manufacturing and export business. Growing up, Vishal spent his afternoons at his father's unit, learning the ins and outs of the trade. Inspired by these early experiences, he went on to study at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Jodhpur, where his talents blossomed, and his collection inspired by Gujarat's Rabari community won him the Best Graduation Project award.

As he learned more about the industry, Vishal became aware of the waste and environmental impact caused by textile production. Since India is the world’s second-largest textile manufacturing hub, the issue of pre-consumer textile waste is particularly severe. "One of the biggest challenges the small-scale factories face is the accumulation of pre-consumer textile waste at the manufacturing level," the Global Indian observed. Determined to address this problem, Vishal began researching ways to reduce waste and create sustainable solutions.

Vishal Tolambia

The Move to the UK and Founding Humanity Centred Designs

This commitment to sustainability led him to the University of Arts London, where he pursued a master’s degree in Fashion Futures. Though financial constraints nearly prevented him from going, his strong portfolio won him a scholarship, allowing him to continue his studies in the UK. It was while pursuing his master’s, Vishal began studying textile waste issues faced by small-scale manufacturers in his hometown, Pushkar. His solution was a circular recycling technology that turns waste fabric into new, durable materials. This idea became the foundation of Humanity Centred Designs, a material innovation hub that he launched after graduation.

"For us, sustainability means enabling sustainable operations. It also means that we care for the planet and protect it, by making sure that 80 percent of our production is through renewable energy sources, responsible consumption of water, and minimized resource utilization,” he explains. His goal is clear: “To make all fashion MSEs in India circular.”

Expanding Impact: From India to the UK and Beyond

In just one year, Humanity Centred Designs provided support to over 150 small and medium-sized apparel manufacturers in waste management and sustainable practices. Vishal's circular recycling technology has enabled manufacturers to reduce their environmental impact and compete in an increasingly eco-conscious market.

"Our innovative solutions have not only helped manufacturers to reduce waste and environmental damage but also helped them to stay competitive,” said the social entrepreneur who won Global Citizen award. His work now reaches beyond India, with two retail stores in Bath and London, where he sells recycled apparel to customers in six countries. Through these stores, Vishal also provides a platform for over 3,500 artisans in Pushkar, connecting their work to an international market.

This commitment to sustainability and community support defines Humanity Centred Designs. The company has become a center for material innovation, helping micro, small, and medium-sized apparel businesses adopt circular recycling practices. Vishal’s broader mission is to reshape the industry: “The goal is to make the fashion industry more sustainable, ethical, and responsible by reducing waste, reducing pollution, and promoting fair labour practices.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAWWvtmMFfI

Scaling Sustainable Fashion Globally

While Vishal’s journey began in Pushkar, his vision now spans continents. In the coming years, he plans to open 15 flagship stores worldwide to showcase recycled textiles and promote ethical fashion on a larger scale. His ambition doesn’t stop there — he hopes to bring circular recycling technology to over 500 marginalised SMEs in India, empowering communities and fostering sustainable development. “This will foster community development and environmental sustainability,” he said, looking forward to a future where his efforts can reach even more people and reduce the fashion industry’s environmental footprint.

As a member of the Indian diaspora in the UK, Vishal Tolambia brings his heritage into his work, bridging cultures and addressing global challenges. The Indian community in the UK has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and individuals like Vishal are leading efforts in technology, healthcare, and sustainable fashion. Through Humanity Centred Designs, Vishal shows how India’s innovation and talent can solve global challenges in waste and sustainability.

A Balance for the Future

For Vishal Tolambia, sustainability is more than just a strategy—it’s a way to create lasting change. “For me, sustainability means creating a balance between the needs of the present and future generations. I believe that a sustainable mindset and practices can benefit both the environment and society, and I strive to incorporate these principles into every aspect of our business,” he explained. His work with Humanity Centred Designs is a model for how fashion can evolve responsibly, reducing environmental impact, supporting artisans, and building a circular system that benefits everyone.

Vishal Tolambia | Global Indian

Today, Humanity Centred Designs stands as a powerful example of what can happen when one person’s commitment to change is backed by community values and clear purpose. Vishal Tolambia’s journey from Pushkar to the world’s fashion capitals is a story of dedication, creativity, and a vision for a future where fashion is sustainable, inclusive, and innovative.

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