The Writers’ Room

Presented by Women in Film India, with community partner Soho House, The Writers’ Room is an intimate, craft-focused workshop that invites participants into the beating heart of storytelling, the space where characters are born, conflicts sharpen, and worlds take shape.

Moderated by acclaimed writer, lyricist, and satirist Varun Grover (Masaan, a tender coming-of-age set against the currents of grief and hope; Supermen of Malegaon, a witty and affectionate documentary about small-town dreamers; All India Rank, a bittersweet ode to ambition, friendship, and youth), the session offers rare insight into the delicate balance of art, authenticity, and audience.

Joining him are two of Indian cinema’s most celebrated screenwriters:

Smita Singh (Sacred Games, a labyrinthine crime saga pulsing through Mumbai’s underbelly; Khauf, a psychological thriller steeped in dread; Raat Akeli Hai, a noir-tinged murder mystery of secrets and betrayal)

Juhi Chaturvedi (Piku, a wry, heartfelt journey of family, love, and constipation; October, a quiet meditation on love and the passage of time)

Together, this panel will deconstruct their creative processes, share behind-the-scenes stories of scripts that shaped contemporary Indian cinema, and guide emerging voices in sharpening their own narratives.