India Council Chair,
Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
An active associate of the Geena Davis Institute since 2014, Rashmi initiated and developed the first Global Symposium on Gender in Media to be held by GDI outside the US in Mumbai in 2016. The Symposium was held at the first edition of the FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) FLO Film Festival, themed on women empowerment and gender sensitivity, spearheaded by Rashmi as the Festival Director, in partnership with UN Women, ITVS – Women & Girls Lead Global, Colors, Hindustan Unilever and the Films Division of India. In 2018, Rashmi organised the FICCI FLO Film Forum to enable increased employment of women in film productions in Tier 2 cities across India.An active associate of the Geena Davis Institute since 2014, Rashmi initiated and developed the first Global Symposium on Gender in Media to be held by GDI outside the US in Mumbai in 2016. The Symposium was held at the first edition of the FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) FLO Film Festival, themed on women empowerment and gender sensitivity, spearheaded by Rashmi as the Festival Director, in partnership with UN Women, ITVS – Women & Girls Lead Global, Colors TV , Unilever and the Films Division of India. In 2018, Rashmi organised the FICCI FLO Film Forum to enable increased employment of women in film productions in Tier 2 cities across India.
Rashmi has helmed pivotal roles at International Film Festivals in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Toronto. In India, at the prestigious and popular ‘MAMI Mumbai Film Festival’, Rashmi initiated and managed the Mumbai Film Mart to promote Indian feature films in non-traditional global territories and spearheaded the MIFF HUB as a B2B platform for documentaries, shorts and animation films at the ‘Films Division of India – Mumbai International Film Festival’ (MIFF). She is a Board Member and Advisor for the pan -India ‘Samabhav Travelling Film Festival’ on gender sensitisation by MAVA (Men Against Violence and Abuse).
Widely travelled and having held senior positions in international production studios, advertising agencies and television broadcast networks, Rashmi set up her own film and media production companies in Mumbai, Dubai and Toronto. Her acclaimed documentary, ‘Begumpura‘ (The Wives Colony), on the empowerment of South Asian immigrant women in Toronto was commissioned by OMNI-Rogers Media, Canada.
Committed to gender parity, Rashmi was appointed Project Lead, Engagement and Advocacy on a recent in-depth Research Study, ‘Lights, Camera and Time for Action: Re-casting Gender Equality Compliant Hindi Cinema’, by the School for Media and Cultural Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai through a grant from the US Consulate.
As an Impact Producer, Rashmi is an Advisor at Good Pitch India and promotes cause led films like ‘Jhalki’ to end child trafficking, inspired by the Indian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Kailash Satyarthi.
Awarded for Excellence in Social Impact Leadership, Rashmi is a Mentor for young women at Aspire For Her, HopeWorks and a Fellow at Aspire Circle for enlightened Social Leadership.
A graduate in Philosophy and Social Communications Media, Rashmi is currently developing her documentary projects, “Conversations Matter’ on redefining masculinity and ‘Devis, Damsels & Divas’ that turns the gender lens on Bollywood.
