Department of Communication and Journalism (DCJ), Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) conducted its second research round table discussion on “Women in Hindi Cinema: On and Off Screen,” a vibrant exploration of gendered narratives and creative labour in Indian cinema, on Thursday. 

Keynote speaker, Dr. Harmanpreet Kaur, Assistant Professor at the School of Media and Cultural Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, brought profound insight through her presentation. A Ph.D. in Cinema Studies from JNU and an accomplished academic bridging industry and scholarship, Dr. Kaur discussed the structural dimensions of visibility, labour, and authorship affecting women in Indian cinema.

Her work illuminates alternative aesthetics and challenges dominant narratives in commercial filmmaking. From producers like Guneet Monga to unsung screenwriters crafting gender-sensitive stories, Dr. Kaur highlighted the evolving roles of women as creative architects of the cinematic experience. She traced philosophical undercurrents in cinema, exploring erasure, agency, and the power of memory.

Earlier, Ms. Sadia Hilal, welcomed the participants and emphasised cinema’s role as a political and poetic medium, urging attendees to engage with it as a site of memory and transformation.

Ms. Insha Mushtaq proposed the vote of thanks and acknowledged the support of Dean School of Media Studies, Prof. Shahid Rasool, Dr. Arif Nazir, Sr Asst Prof. Dr. Asif Khan, and Dr. Nookaraju for facilitating the event.