Hindi
NISU UK awards fellowship to Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar
MUMBAI: Shabana Azmi and her poet-lyricist husband Javed Akhtar have been awarded honorary fellowships by the National Indian Students Union (NISU) (UK).
"It is the highest honour that can be bestowed onto a non-member by the NISU and we are delighted to bestow our first honorary fellowships on two individuals whose contributions to Indian cinema and society are unmatched.
Both names are integral parts of Indian cinema and their contributions are to be cherished and acknowledged for generations to come," said NISU president Sanam Arora.
The fellowships, instituted to mark 100 years of Indian cinema, have been awarded to the couple to celebrate and acknowledge their contributions in shaping the present and future of India."
"We are really pleased as this is the first time such a fellowship has been instituted. Recognition from students means a lot as they are a tough group to satisfy. And that it is in honour of our work over the years, is really heart-warming," Azmi has been quoted to have said.
"The commitment and dedication they have demonstrated to both their fields and their country is something that each youngster should learn from, and we hope this association between the NISU and these two legends inspires the youth," she added.
The NISU (UK) is an umbrella organisation created in 2011 for the entire Indian student community in the United Kingdom. It includes students currently pursuing their education in the country as well as former alumni.
Hindi
Rajesh Ramaswamy exits The Script Room to focus on filmmaking journey
Ad filmmaker steps away from own venture to pursue direction and storytelling
MUMBAI: In a move that has caught the attention of the advertising and creative community, Rajesh Ramaswamy has announced his exit from The Script Room, the company he co-founded, marking the end of a seven-year stint at the helm.
The decision, which came into effect earlier this month, signals a shift in focus for Ramaswamy, who is now looking to immerse himself fully in filmmaking and direction as an independent creative.
Known for blending sharp advertising insight with storytelling craft, Ramaswamy has been instrumental in shaping The Script Room into a creative hub that delivered campaigns, branded content, and original storytelling formats. Over the years, the company collaborated with agencies, directors, and a wide network of writers, while also experimenting with formats such as short films and web series.
Sharing his thoughts on the transition, Ramaswamy indicated that the move is driven by a desire to focus and explore stories he has been developing over time. While he acknowledged the unconventional nature of stepping away from one’s own venture, he also framed it as a necessary leap toward clarity and creative pursuit.
Importantly, The Script Room will continue its operations with its current team and leadership, with Ramaswamy expressing confidence in the group that helped build the company’s identity. The studio, he noted, remains well-positioned to evolve further with fresh talent and ideas.
His exit also reflects a wider industry trend, where experienced advertising professionals are increasingly transitioning into independent filmmaking, tapping into the growing opportunities across digital and long-form content platforms.
As Ramaswamy steps into this new phase, the move underscores a familiar creative instinct, sometimes, the boldest ideas begin with a clean break.
