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AR Rahman returns as BAFTA Breakthrough India ambassador
Mumbai: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced AR Rahman as the Breakthrough India ambassador for another year as they invite a new round of applications in India for the programme. Supported by Netflix, this programme will be open for prospective talent across the film, games, and television industries.
The BAFTA Breakthrough India programme will once again identify, promote and support Indian talent within these industries on a global scale, said the organisation in a statement on Wednesday.
“BAFTA Breakthrough India is an awe-inspiring initiative that offers the unique opportunity to promising artists to connect with influential experts in their field, serving as a life-changing experience,” remarked AR Rahman. “India has the supreme talent to offer which was evidenced by the overwhelming response received during the first round of Breakthrough India that compelled the jury to select ten deserving participants instead of five as originally planned.”
Akin to the debut initiative, BAFTA Breakthrough aims to celebrate Indian talent by offering a bespoke programme of support – helping participants develop knowledge about the industry, develop their craft, address barriers to progression, and network globally with people who can influence their careers.
The programme provides a bursary to support international networking opportunities, further to this, recipients will also receive: One-to-one industry meetings and group roundtable sessions; Global networking opportunities with BAFTA membership, industry and peer to pee Breakthrough cohorts; Access to Career Coaching sessions and support with professional skills development; Access to BAFTA’s virtual programme of events and screenings for 12 months, and PR support and showcasing as part of Breakthrough.
“India has a wealth of talent waiting to be discovered and showcased. For the second year, we are delighted to open applications for BAFTA Breakthrough supported by Netflix,” stated BAFTA chief executive Amanda Berry OBE. “The high quality of applicants in our first year prompted the jury to select ten individuals rather than five, and we look forward to receiving applications from the very best emerging talent in film, games, and television again.”
The incredibly talented list of BAFTA Breakthrough’s first cohort comprised of the future stars of the film, games, and television industries: Akshay Singh (writer), Arun Karthick (director/writer), Jay Pinak Oza (cinematographer), Karthikeya Murthy (composer), Palomi Ghosh (actor), Renu Savant (director/writer), Shruti Ghosh (game developer & art director), Sumit Purohit (director/writer), Tanya Maniktala (actor) and Vikramaditya Singh (director).
“Coming together to create opportunities for fresh talent and offering them a global platform is vital to the growth of the entertainment industry,” said Netflix India VP – content Monika Shergill. “Through the BAFTA Breakthrough India initiative, we want to drive progress in creating a more inclusive industry where many tales are told, and many voices tell those stories. We look forward to an equally enthusiastic and quality response as in the first year.”
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Business Today MindRush returns to Mumbai, spotlight on India’s edge in a fractured world
Policymakers and corporate heavyweights gather to map supply chains, energy security and markets
MUMBAI: As fault lines widen across global trade and geopolitics, Business Today is doubling down on India’s moment. The 14th edition of Business Today MindRush & Best CEOs Awards lands in Mumbai on March 28, pitching India’s strategic edge at the centre of a fragmenting world.
The day-long summit, presented by PwC, will bring together a tight mix of policymakers, industry leaders and market voices to decode shifting supply chains, maritime strategy, defence priorities, energy security and capital markets—sectors now deeply entangled with geopolitics.
M Nagaraju, secretary, department of financial services, ministry of finance, will headline the event, setting the tone for discussions that aim to track how India is repositioning itself amid disrupted trade routes and volatile energy dynamics.
The speaker slate reads like a cross-section of India Inc’s command centre. Krishna Swaminathan will zero in on sea lanes and supply chains, while Prashant Ruia is set to push the case for self-reliance in oil and gas. Ashish Chauhan will weigh in on capital markets at a pivotal juncture, as a panel featuring Vibha Padalkar, Sanjiv Mehta, Amish Mehta and Sanjeev Krishan debates navigating economic uncertainty.
Leadership under pressure will be another running theme. Madhavkrishna Singhania, Sharvil Patel, Karan Bhagat and Anurag Choudhary will unpack how businesses are steering through disruption. Arun Alagappan will turn the spotlight on fertilisers, Arundhati Bhattacharya will reflect on leadership transitions, while Anish Shah and S Vellayan will outline blueprints for building future-ready conglomerates.
The event will close with Aroon Purie setting the broader editorial lens, before the Best CEOs Awards recognise standout corporate leadership across sectors.
At a time when the global order looks increasingly splintered, MindRush 2026 is positioning itself as more than a conference—it is a signal that India intends not just to navigate the churn, but to shape it.
