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Richa Chadha Slams NFDC for Underfunding Acclaimed Film "Girls Will Be Girls"
7 Oct
Summary
- Richa Chadha moderated a panel on challenges of independent filmmaking
- Chadha revealed NFDC promised full funding for "Girls Will Be Girls" but only provided half
- Panelists discussed lack of industry support and access to funding for indie films
In October 2025, Richa Chadha moderated an insightful panel discussion at the Waterfront Indie Film Festival (WIFF), featuring acclaimed filmmakers Shoojit Sircar, Rajat Kapoor, Deepa Gehlot, and Sridhar Rangayan. The conversation centered around the challenges faced by independent filmmakers in India.
During the discussion, Chadha expressed her frustration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), revealing that the organization had promised a certain amount of funding for her film "Girls Will Be Girls," but only provided half of the agreed-upon sum. Chadha's co-producer had told her, "It is very difficult to get money from the government. They take it all for themselves."
The panelists also discussed the lack of industry support and access to funding for independent cinema. Chadha questioned why the "biggest head honchos of global networks" often select MBA graduates to make decisions about film selection, rather than industry veterans who understand the risks and monetization potential of indie projects. Deepa Gehlot acknowledged that the NFDC was originally meant to address this issue, but its purpose seems to have shifted over time.
"Girls Will Be Girls," which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and was recently released on Amazon Prime Video, has been well-received at over 20 film festivals. The coming-of-age drama, starring Preeti Panigrahi, Kani Kusruti, and Kesav Binoy Kiron, is the latest example of the challenges faced by independent filmmakers in India.
