This discussion will look at portrayals of women in popular mainstream versus neo-liberal Independent South Asian cinema produced in South Asia and examine whether the changes are real and efficacious and how they influence cross-cultural perceptions of South Asian women in the western world. (Panel Discussion moderated by: Rekha Datta). To share their professional insight and understanding, we are inviting a panel of participating filmmakers and scholars to present their perspectives. The panelists will give their take on how they perceive these changes and share their insight and understanding on whether these changes are true and meaningful for the audiences that they are seeking to reach out in scale and impact.

Moderator:  Dr. Rekha Datta (Moderator — faculty Monmouth Univ. NJ)

Panelists:    Sajata Warrier (Director of the New York City Program of the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence); Ruma Sen (Faculty, Ramapo College, NJ); Rani Netulli (Faculty, Yale University, Connecticut), Vaishali Sinha (Filmmaker), Sangeeta Datta (Filmmaker)