In this episode of The Media Room, host Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with film historian, author and documentary filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabir about her lifelong journey documenting, curating and championing Hindi cinema for global audiences. From introducing British viewers to Indian films through her landmark Channel 4 series Movie Mahal to serving on the board of the British Film Institute, Nasreen reflects on how cinema became a cultural bridge for diaspora communities long before the internet connected the world.

They discuss what makes Hindi cinema uniquely enduring, how film songs sustained identity for immigrants abroad, and why classic filmmakers like Bimal Roy and Mehboob Khan continue to shape storytelling today. The episode also explores her work documenting icons such as Shah Rukh Khan, Lata Mangeshkar and Zakir Hussain, her collaborations with artists like Gulzar and A. R. Rahman, and what studying film masters reveals about craft, emotion and longevity.

The conversation further dives into criticism, authorship, preservation, and why cinema remains one of the most powerful cultural connectors across generations and geographies. Nasreen shares insights on what today’s filmmakers can learn from the past, and why understanding film history is essential to shaping its future.

Like, share and comment with your thoughts on Hindi cinema, film history and global audiences, and subscribe to The Media Room for more deep-dive conversations at the intersection of media, culture, business and storytelling.

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