Reel-to-Real: Cinefiles honour power of Indian storytelling
A film-making workshop organised at Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC) Department in Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) on Friday promoted socially relevant cinema that highlights human emotions and showcases both regional and national heritage. The event, a collaborative effort between the JMC Department, Students’ Welfare Department, Cine Foundation and Vishwa Samvaad Kendra brought together industry experts to share their wealth of knowledge.
Renowned film director and actor Hariom Kaushik, scriptwriter and director Vikas Berwal and Dr Ravindra Sahhoo, assistant professor at Kamala Nehru College, Delhi University, graced the occasion. Prof Harish Kumar, head of the JMC Department, underscored the significance of Indian cinema, calling it a mirror to society and a powerful tool for social commentary. He emphasised that Indian cinema, across its many languages—Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, and Malayalam—captures the soul of the nation. Prof Kumar said cinema not only served as entertainment but also imparted social values.
The workshop, coordinated by Sunil Mukherjee, highlighted the importance of storytelling in film-making. Dr Sahoo gave a preview of the upcoming Haryana Film Festival 2025, which is set to take place on April 4 to 5 at the MDU. Kaushik shared valuable insights into film-making techniques, while Berwal delved into the art of scriptwriting and direction.
A total of 60 participants attended the workshop to gain a wealth of knowledge shared. Notable attendees included Dr Kavita Dahiya from Government PG Nehru College, Jhajjar, Dr Sumit Sahrawat from LN Hindu College, Rohtak, and MDU Public Relation officer Pankaj Nain while the event also received support from Director of Youth Welfare, Dr Pratap Rathi, and his team.
Research scholars Ashu, Kuldeep and Vinod Gill made significant contributions to the workshop. Throughout the event, experts took time to address questions from participants, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience. With the upcoming Haryana Film Festival 2025 on the horizon, the workshop served as a perfect prelude, sparking enthusiasm among participants and providing them with the tools and knowledge to pursue their passions.
