Richa Chadha to train 50 more women in production
What's the story
Actor-producer Richa Chadha and her husband Ali Fazal have announced the second edition of their initiative, Undercurrent Lab.
The program will train women in different aspects of film production, especially lighting.
The first session in June 2022 successfully trained 10 women as gaffers for the Hindi film industry.
This year's workshop will broaden its curriculum to include more facets of filmmaking over two weeks.
Expanded intake
The selection process will begin in April
The upcoming edition of Undercurrent Lab hopes to train around 50 women, a huge jump from the first batch of 10. The selection process will begin in April.
Participants will be taught about different kinds of lights, safety protocols for managing high-voltage equipment, power distribution, and circuit management.
Chadha said she was excited about the next session, building on the success of the first edition was "nothing short of inspiring."
Practical application
Undercurrent Lab's impact on Chadha's production
Chadha has already witnessed the practical benefits of Undercurrent Lab, having hired two female gaffers from the first edition for her 2024 production, Girls Will Be Girls.
She praised their talent and passion, noting how they not only mastered technical expertise but also embraced the creative spirit of cinema.
With this initiative, Chadha and Fazal hope to create opportunities and build confidence among aspiring women professionals in the film industry.
Inclusive cinema
Chadha's vision for a more inclusive film industry
Chadha sees Undercurrent Lab as a catalyst for more diverse and inclusive storytelling in cinema.
She thinks that by offering thorough training in all aspects of film production, more women will have the opportunity to break into this competitive industry.
"This initiative is about creating opportunities, building confidence, and providing a platform for aspiring women professionals to thrive," she said.