Yash Chopra Foundation expands scholarship programme to 11 scholars, with first students in robotics and AI

MUMBAI: From the film set to the robotics lab. The Yash Chopra Foundation (YCF), the philanthropic arm of Yash Raj Films, has expanded its scholarship programme to 11 scholars, and for the first time students pursuing robotics and technology-led courses are on the list. It is a neat plot twist for a programme rooted in cinema: the children of the people who make the movies are now training to build the machines and code shaping the industry’s future.

YCF continues to take forward the vision of legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra by giving back to the industry that has given abundant love to YRF for over 50 years. Through the YCF Scholarship Programme, the foundation supports the children of registered Hindi film industry and FWICE union members in pursuing higher education, with financial assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh per student.

The programme has traditionally supported students pursuing media, film and creative disciplines. This year marks an important expansion, with the scholarship extending to a wider range of professional and technical courses, including robotics and artificial intelligence, engineering, IT, management, law and medical studies. Notably, this is the first year that students pursuing robotics and technology-led courses have been selected, reflecting the evolving landscape of the film and creative industries and the growing role of technology in shaping its future.

The selection was competitive. This year, 11 talented students were chosen after a merit- and need-based screening process from over 300 registered applicants. The scholars will receive financial assistance towards their course fees for the 2026-27 academic year:

1. Aryan Singh, B.Tech in CSE (AI and ML), Thakur Shyamnarayan College of Engineering
2. Asma Choudhary, PG in M.Com (banking and finance), NM College
3. Jaid Kalim, B.Tech in electronics and computer science, Fr Conceicao Rodrigues College of Engineering, Bandra
4. Jay Siddeshwar Jangam, UG in mass communication and journalism, CVM University, Gujarat
5. Nidhi Subhashchandra Yadav, B.Sc in robotics and artificial intelligence systems, Thakur College
6. Pranjal Pramod Kapure, B.Tech in mechanical engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bhilai
7. Prathamesh Pradip Karanjolkar, MCA, TIMSCDR (Thakur Institute of Management Studies, Career Development and Research)
8. Rudra Mangesh Damle, UG in B.Com (financial markets), Pillai College of Arts, Commerce and Science, New Panvel
9. Sachin Vishwakarma, B.Tech, K J Somaiya Institute of Technology, Mumbai
10. Uzma Sarfaraz Khan, PG in M.Sc (IT), Vivek College of Commerce
11. Valencia Rojiyar Madhura, B.Tech in computer science and engineering (cyber security), NMIMS College of Engineering

The spread tells its own story. Engineering, cyber security, AI and machine learning, finance, IT, mass communication and mechanical engineering all feature, and the list runs from Mumbai colleges to IIT Bhilai and CVM University in Gujarat. A scholarship once tied mainly to film and media now backs a far broader idea of what a career linked to the industry can look like.

Akshaye Widhani, ceo of Yash Raj Films, said: “The Hindi film industry has always been built on the contribution of people working across every level of the ecosystem, and the YCF Scholarship Programme is our way of extending that support to the next generation of their families. What is particularly meaningful this year is seeing that support evolve with the aspirations of the students themselves. From media and management to robotics, artificial intelligence, engineering and medicine, the 11 scholars represent a much wider spectrum of possibilities than when we first started this programme. As the industry changes, it is important that the opportunities we create for its families evolve with it too. We are happy to play a small part in helping these students access the education and careers they aspire to.”

The heart of the initiative remains unchanged. YCF continues to support the children of the industry’s behind-the-scenes workforce, the technicians, light men, spot boys and other daily wage workers who are an integral part of Hindi cinema, helping turn their academic aspirations into opportunities for a brighter future.

Cinema is a team sport, and the foundation is making sure the whole team’s children get a shot at the future.