Indian Women creators pay tribute to Konkona Sen Sharma and Juhi Chaturvedi’s trailblazing spirit!

Supporting women every day is crucial, but International Women’s Day on March 8th is an official celebration of women’s achievements. On this day, let us acknowledge the contributions of Indian Women Creators, who have used their creativity and voice to make a positive impact on society. These creators have shattered stereotypes, addressed social issues, and inspired change with their insightful and thought-provoking content. We must invest in them, support their growth and development, and create a more inclusive media landscape that represents their voices and perspectives.

Konkona Sen Sharma : Konkona Sen Sharma is a well-known Indian actress who has made a successful transition into filmmaking. After establishing herself as a versatile performer in Bollywood, Konkona decided to explore her passion for filmmaking and began working on her directorial debut, “A Death in the Gunj”. The film, which was released in 2016, received critical acclaim and earned Konkona several awards and nominations for Best Director. As a filmmaker, Konkona has a unique approach to storytelling and focuses on exploring complex human relationships and emotions. Her films are known for their realistic portrayal of characters and situations, and she often incorporates social commentary into her narratives. With her keen eye for detail and a strong sense of storytelling, Konkona has established herself as one of the most promising young directors in India. Konkona’s transition from an actress to a filmmaker has been a natural progression, as her understanding of character and narrative has been honed over years of working in the film industry.

Arati Bhatt : Arati Bhatt, an accomplished writer and assistant director in the Indian film industry, resides in Uttarakhand, close to the scenic Manasarovar lake. She has a prolific career in Bollywood, having worked on several movies like Jan Hit Main Jaari, Chicken Curry Law, 100 Dresses, and Bhagte Raho. Additionally, she has worked with popular OTT platforms like Zee5 and Voot on multiple titles. While working with well-known television writer Raghuvir Shekhawat, she met a Pocket FM writer who encouraged her to try her hand at writing for the audio series platform. Her passion for writing in Hindi is evident in her work, and she has produced several hit shows, including the popular series Jiya Dhadak Dhadak, which has garnered a significant following on Pocket FM.

Zoya Akhtar : Zoya Akhtar is a highly acclaimed Indian filmmaker and writer who has established herself as one of the best in Bollywood. Her unique vision, creativity, and storytelling skills have won her numerous accolades and a loyal following. Zoya’s films are known for their emotional resonance, authenticity, and attention to detail. She has explored a wide range of themes and subjects, from the complexities of human relationships to the challenges faced by marginalized communities in India. Her films have earned critical acclaim both in India and abroad, and they have won numerous awards at international film festivals. In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Zoya is also an accomplished writer. Her scripts are known for their nuanced characters, sharp dialogue, and intelligent storytelling. Zoya’s journey as a filmmaker and writer is a testament to her talent, hard work, and dedication. She has become a role model for young women in India and around the world, showing that with determination and creativity, anything is possible in the world of filmmaking.

Priyanka Rao : The tale of a modest young woman from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, who had devoted over three years of her life to the education industry, is a motivating one. Seeking to broaden her horizons, she decided to pursue a Ph.D., and it was during this time that a friend who happened to be a writer for Pocket FM, suggested she explore her writing talents. Intrigued by the prospect, she took a leap of faith and resigned from her job in October 2022 to become a full-time writer for Pocket FM. With a natural inclination towards the romance genre, she has since crafted two highly successful audio shows, namely “Andhadhubn Ishq” and “The Return.”

Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari : Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari is a talented filmmaker and writer who made her directorial debut in 2016 with the comedy-drama Nil Battey Sannata. Before entering the world of filmmaking, Ashwiny worked in advertising for several years. Despite having a cushy position at a prestigious firm, she left it to pursue her passion for filmmaking. Ashwiny started by taking small steps towards her goal, creating a short film called What’s for Breakfast. She then went on to make Nil Battey Sannata, which was her first Bollywood film. The film received critical acclaim and earned her the Best Debut Director award at the Filmfare Awards. Ashwiny is known for her ability to create unique and well-defined characters, particularly those from India’s heartlands with lifestyles that are not all glitter and glamor. She has a knack for exploring the subtleties of relationships and bonding in a natural context and has received praise for her delicate handling of tough topics. In addition to her work in film, Ashwiny has also written her debut fiction work, Mapping Love.

Mandakini Dwivedi : Mandakini is a budding writer hailing from Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. She initially began her career as a teacher and counselor with a government organization. However, when the pandemic struck, her life took an unexpected turn. It was during this period of difficulty that she stumbled upon a writing contest on Pocket FM. Mandakini decided to take a chance and submitted her entry. Her exceptional writing skills caught the attention of everyone, and she was offered a position as a writer at Pocket FM. Since then, she has been creating captivating content for over a year and a half. Mandakini’s writing expertise particularly shines in the genres of thrillers and dramas, and she has gained a loyal following with two successful audio series in these categories. Among them, her audio series “Amrapali” has achieved significant popularity. Mandakini’s promising writing career is a testament to her talent and determination, and she is sure to continue to captivate audiences with her exceptional storytelling abilities.

Juhi Chaturvedi : Juhi Chaturvedi is a highly acclaimed Indian filmmaker and writer who has made a significant impact on the Indian film industry. She is known for her ability to craft compelling stories with nuanced characters and powerful messages. Juhi’s most notable work includes her collaborations with director Shoojit Sircar on films such as Vicky Donor, Piku, October, and the recently released Hush Hush. Her scripts are characterized by their realism, humor, and emotional depth, and they have won numerous awards and critical acclaim. In addition to her work as a writer, Juhi has also directed a short film, Chhuri, which won the Best Film Award at the Mumbai Film Festival in 2017. She has become a role model for young women in India and around the world, showing that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible in the world of filmmaking.

Moni Singh : Moni Singh, a resident of Faridabad and an MBA student, was introduced to a new genre called audio series during the Covid-19 pandemic. She developed a love for listening to audiobooks and podcasts before, however, found audio series extremely intriguing. While pursuing her studies, she would spend her free time listening to audio programs and socializing with friends. Moni’s friend, who is also a writer for Pocket FM, suggested that she share her stories and try her hand at writing for the platform. As a romance enthusiast, Moni found her niche in writing for this genre and has contributed to popular shows like “Devil Se Shaadi” which is trending on Pocket FM presently.

Shonali Bose : Shonali Bose is a highly acclaimed Indian filmmaker and writer who has made a significant impact on the Indian film industry. She is known for her ability to craft powerful stories that are both emotionally resonant and socially relevant. Shonali’s most notable work includes her films Amu, Margarita with a Straw, and The Sky Is Pink. Her films tackle sensitive subjects such as disability, identity, and social justice, and they have won numerous awards and critical acclaim. In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Shonali is also an accomplished writer. Her scripts are characterized by their authenticity, sensitivity, and emotional depth.

Rajeshwari Dhruv : Rajeshwari Dhruv, also known by her pen name Sonal, is a final-year student whose heartwarming love stories have captured the attention of Pocket FM listeners. Her journey as a writer began when a friend suggested she listen to Pocket FM audio series. While exploring the app, she came across a pop-up for the Pocket FM writer contest. Initially, she attempted to close it, but out of curiosity, she ended up clicking on it, and this decision changed her life forever. Thanks to her writing skills, Rajeshwari was offered a writer’s position at Pocket FM, where she has been able to share her love for romantic fiction with an eager audience and feels grateful to have a platform like Pocket FM to share her stories with a wider audience globally. One of her noteworthy series includes ‘Silent love, My agent wife.’

Keerti Kadam.