Women in Film India is tackling the emotional challenges of the entertainment industry with a new mental wellness program for women filmmakers.
The program, called “The Resilience Playbook,” includes a six-week workshop series aimed at improving mental well-being and emotional strength. It’s designed to help women in Indian cinema cope with the industry’s unique pressures—like frequent rejection and demanding schedules.
Chetna Chakravarthy, a wellness practitioner and life coach, leads the workshops. Instead of just traditional self-care techniques, the focus is on building skills like confidence and self-worth, which are critical for longevity in the creative field. The workshops offer a supportive space where women filmmakers can reconnect with their creativity.
This initiative comes at a time when conversations about burnout and mental health are becoming more relevant in creative industries. WIF India is positioning emotional well-being as essential for professional success. Guneet Monga Kapoor, an Academy Award-winning producer and founder of WIF India, emphasizes that resilience is crucial for thriving in a constantly changing environment.
Women in film often encounter additional hurdles, including systemic inequities and intense scrutiny, on top of the usual challenges of long hours and unpredictable schedules. WIF India highlights that while discussions about opportunity and representation have grown, the emotional toll of sustaining a career in this industry needs more attention.
Rabia Chopra, WIF India’s head of programs, describes the workshops as a “safe harbor.” She stresses that vulnerability can be a form of strength.
To make the program accessible, WIF India is subsidizing the costs. Monga Kapoor has personally felt the benefits of Chakravarthy’s approach and is passionate about supporting her peers.
This initiative reflects WIF India’s broader goal to redefine empowerment beyond visibility. It aims to include emotional well-being, balance, and a sense of belonging as vital aspects of creative work.
The program was introduced at the WAVES Film Bazaar, part of the International Film Festival of India in Goa. As mental health awareness continues to grow, efforts like these could pave the way for a more sustainable, inclusive industry.
Experts in the field agree: focusing on mental health is not merely a personal issue—it’s a professional necessity. According to a recent survey by the World Health Organization, creative professionals are particularly prone to burnout, emphasizing the need for mental wellness programs tailored to their specific challenges. With support networks like WIF India, the industry is starting to recognize that resilience, emotional strength, and community are essential for success.
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Guneet Monga Kapoor,IFFI,WAVES Film Bazaar,Women in Film
