New Delhi, July 4, 2025 : The Embassy of Spain to India, in
collaboration with ETI Services and the Agatsu Foundation, hosted a landmark
cultural event titled “Sitaare Zameen Par: India and Spain in
Conversation on Inclusion through Disability-focused Cinema” at Siri
Fort Auditorium, New Delhi. Anchored in the power of storytelling, the event
brought together filmmakers, disability rights advocates, and cultural leaders
from India and Spain to explore how cinema can advance empathy, dignity, and
inclusion for persons with disabilities.
The event opened with
welcome remarks by Alfonso Herrero Corral, Counsellor at the
Embassy of Spain, who emphasized the role of cultural diplomacy in amplifying
the voices of persons with disabilities and the potential of cinema as a
catalyst for social change.
The opening session, “Our
Journeys,” featured a compelling conversation with disability rights
activists who reflected on their lived experiences and the challenges and
transformations that shaped their advocacy. Moderated by Ira Khan,
Founder and Director of the Agatsu Foundation, the panel included Sushama
Nagarkar, Parag Namdeo, Divyanshu Ganatra,
and Danish Mahajan. Their dialogue illuminated the systemic
barriers faced by persons with disabilities and called for more inclusive,
accessible, and affirming spaces—both on and off screen. Summarizing the
conversations in the panel, Ira added, “Disability isn’t an inability — and it
certainly isn’t charity. What we heard today wasn’t about exceptionalism, but
about the right to live, work, and create with dignity. It’s time we moved
beyond tokenism, beyond pity, and started treating persons with disabilities as
equals — not someday, but now”.
This was followed by an
address by H.E. Juan Antonio March Pujol, Ambassador of Spain to
India, who reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to advancing disability inclusion and
strengthening cultural collaboration with India. In his remarks, he highlighted
the shared responsibility of nations to ensure that no one is left behind in
narratives of progress, especially in the arts and public life. On the
transformative potential of art to bring about impact, the Ambassador remarked,
“What cinema can do — in a way that policy or programming sometimes cannot — is
shift imagination. It shows us what is possible, helps us see each other more
fully, and reminds us that dignity must never be optional.”.
The second half of the event
featured a dialogue on inclusion through movies, bringing together the cast and
creators behind Sitaare Zameen Par and Spain’s celebrated
film Campeones. The panel included Aamir Khan (Actor
and Producer, joining virtually), Jesús Vidal (Actor, Campeones,
joining virtually), Aparna Purohit (CEO, Aamir Khan
Productions), R.S. Prasanna (Director), and Divy Nidhi
Sharma (Writer), and was moderated by Sukriti Chauhan, CEO
of ETI Services. The conversation explored the ethics and impact of
representation, the responsibilities of filmmakers, and the personal journeys
behind both films. Speaking from his experience as a filmmaker, producer and
actor, Aamir Khan remarked, “I have a dream — that one day, there will be no
segregation. We’re so quick to judge, but often it’s those we label as
‘different’ who show us the greatest empathy, warmth, and humanity. Inclusion
means we stop creating separate spaces — and start creating shared ones”.
Addressing the importance of gatherings like these, R.S Prasanna said, ““We
need to create cinema that leaves a mark beyond the box office. If even one
heart shifts because of a story we’ve told, that’s enough. And today, more than
ever, I believe we’re ready to come together — in theatres and in spirit — to
celebrate that kind of change.”
Drawing from the multiple
perspectives from the panel, Sukriti remarked, “Representation is not just
about being seen — it’s about being understood. This conversation reminded us
that inclusion isn’t decorative. It is foundational to meaningful future
developments.”
The day concluded with a
special screening of Sitaare Zameen Par, a film that resonated with
audiences for its sensitive and transformative portrayal of childhood,
disability, neurodivergence and the need for compassionate social systems,
serving as a cinematic anchor for the day’s conversations.
As the host for the
day, Stephy Stephen, Senior Research Analyst at ETI Services,
guided the flow of the event throughout the day.
This cultural exchange
between India and Spain reinforces the belief that inclusive storytelling is
not only about visibility, but about justice — and when lived experiences meet
the lens of cinema, they build bridges across borders and bring marginalised
voices to the center of public discourse.
