On December 28, 2023, I had the opportunity to attend the world premiere of Rabb Di Awaaz at MGSIPA, Chandigarh, a film that didn’t just entertain but left a lasting impact on me both emotionally and socially.
Directed by Ojaswwee Sharma, Rabb Di Awaaz is India’s first multi-inclusive Hindi feature film that beautifully brings attention to disability, mental health, and accessible cinema. And let me say this: watching it wasn’t just a viewing experience but it was a powerful emotional journey
What stood out from the moment the film began was its deliberate inclusivity. From Hindi audio descriptions for the visually impaired to Indian Sign Language for the hearing impaired, the film ensured that no viewer was left out of the experience. It wasn’t just a movie, it was a movement in storytelling.
The central character, based on real-life disability rights activist Shiv Kumar Sharma, carried the narrative with an authenticity that made every frame feel lived-in and real. As someone who’s spent over a decade in the creative space through Akki Studios, I was deeply inspired by how visual storytelling was redefined with purpose, empathy, and impact. We also got to watch our own city – Chandigarh on the big screen as the movie was entirely shot in the city.
Being in that room, I witnessed firsthand the power of accessible content. There were quiet moments of emotion, loud applause after the credits rolled, and meaningful conversations in the corridors long after the screening ended. I had the chance to interact with fellow creatives, disability advocates, and even some of the team behind the production.
As a storyteller and entrepreneur, this film reminded me of the true responsibility of content creators i.e to represent, to include, and to drive thought and change. Rabb Di Awaaz doesn’t beg for sympathy; it invites you to see differently, to understand deeply, and to act kindly.
A huge round of applause to Ojaswwee Sharma, the cast and crew, and the organising partners for putting together this bold, important, and beautifully human project. I feel grateful to have been part of its very first audience.
