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Fourth Indian Screenwriters Conference to focus on stories that reflect ‘India’s Reality’
MUMBAI: The television and film writers are pulling their socks for the fourth edition of Indian Screenwriters Conference. The Film Writers Association, Mumbai are set for the conference on 3 and 4 August 2016 at St. Andrew’s Auditorium, Bandra West – Mumbai.
During 4ISC, the prominent names from the writer fraternity, along with writer-directors, producers, TV channel representatives and film lovers, would network and indulge in stimulating discussions revolving around various issues concerning screenwriting and screenwriters in India. The theme in the fourth edition is So Near So Far: Do our stories reflect India’s Reality? The issues relevant to writing profession will also be addressed in the conference.
The first conference, held at FTII, Pune, in August 2006, was attended by 275 writers.The second, at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai, in December 2008; saw 575 screenwriters and writer-directors attending it. Third ISC at St. Andrew’s Auditorium, Bandra, in February 2013, had the participation of 700 screenwriters. The event has been garnering popularity over the years. The association is claiming the fourth edition to grow bigger.
The sessions will tackle the theme from different angles. The sessions included are- Little Big Films: Small films, driven by strong scripts and the passion of the filmmakers, are increasingly ending up as surprise successes. What is the scope and future of such efforts?
Serial Killers: Does our current TV content reflect our times and society? Why are we stuck in some unchangeable grooves? What is the way out?
Writers & Producers: Partners or Adversaries?: Writers feel they are undervalued while producers complain of lack of quality scripts. How can this relationship be made more collaborative, more mutual, and more productive for both?
The Feminine Factor: Are female actors getting better roles now? Is our audience comfortable only with stereotypical women characters? Are we ready to have a more realistic gender equation on screen?
The Digital Explosion: Is the Internet the answer to our creative and economic issues?
The Business of TV Writing: The leverage of the TV writer is growing; it appears, with him/her turning into a producer. Is this the model for all TV writers to move towards?
Well known poet Ashok Vajpeyi will be the chief guest of the conference, while journalist P. Sainath will deliver the keynote. Other expected penalists are- Javed Akhtar, Gulzar, Siddharth Roy-Kapur (Disney), Ronnie Screwvala (UTV), Gaurav Banerjee (Star), Ritesh Sidhwani (Excel), Anooj Kapoor (SAB), Danish Khan (Sony), Ravina Kohli (Epic), Vishal Bhardwaj, Jaideep Sahni, Sriram Raghavan, Rajat Kapoor, Hansal Mehta, Juhi Chaturvedi, Jayesh Patil, Aatish Kapadia, Purnendu Shekhar, Shridhar Raghavan, Nagraj Manjule, Neeraj Ghaywan, Sonali Jaffer, Shashi Mittal, Varun Grover, Himanshu Sharma, Sudip Sharma, Saurabh Tiwari, Biswapati Sarkar (TVF).
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
