Two distinctive voices in contemporary Indian cinema explore the evolution of storytelling, the balance between art and accessibility, and the responsibility to support independent voices. Kiran Rao’s films – from Dhobi Ghat (2010) to Laapataa Ladies (2023) – have garnered critical and popular acclaim. But beyond directing, Rao has championed emerging filmmakers and independent cinema, recently coming on board groundbreaking indie projects as executive producer. In conversation with Prathyush Parasuraman who is a writer and critic who writes across publications, both print and online.
