Public outrage after every rape case is restricted to protests and candle marches. But is there more we can do? Writer-director K Praful Chandra, inspired by the RG Kar Medical College incident in 2024, shows the way forward with his short film, Keep the Fire Alive. While the story was in place, the director was still searching for a face to support it. He turned to director Charantej Uppalapati, who is making the Kajol and Samyuktha-starrer Maharagini: Queen of Queens, for help. “I love supporting women that’s why I am making Maharagini on women empowerment. I showed Samyuktha the short and she came on board as she is well-versed in this space,” shares Uppalapati. Samyuktha runs the NGO Adi Shakti that advocates for women empowerment.

Charantej Uppalapati