Overview
- Speaking at The Indian Express’s Expresso forum in Ahmedabad, Muzaffar Ali said Bollywood has strayed from the Ganga-Jamuni cultural mix and warned that the ethos should not be allowed to fade.
- Ali argued that contemporary filmmakers are too commercial and lack the time for immersion needed to create enduring characters and music, contrasting today’s output with Umrao Jaan and its Khayyam-composed songs.
- He urged renewed patronage for the arts and greater faith in India’s artistic heritage, framing depth and significance as essential for global recognition.
- Radhikaraje Gaekwad described feminism as a “bloodless revolution” and urged a definition that preserves compassion and nurturing community care rather than discarding femininity.
- The speakers also reflected on migrants’ experiences, lessons from Satyajit Ray, and India’s image abroad, as Ali noted 4K restorations of his films and The Indian Express said the session would be posted on its YouTube channel at 8 pm.