Anu Singh Chaudhary, a celebrated screenwriter known for her work on Aarya, Grahan, Scoop, and Delhi Crime S3, is at the forefront of advocating for screenwriters' rights in India. She’s also an active member of the Screenwriters Rights Association of India (SRAI) and the Screenwriters Association (SWA), where she works tirelessly to address the pressing issues of legal and monetary rights for screenwriters.
At the 7th Edition of the Indian Screenwriters Conference (ISC), Anu is set to speak on the theme of "New Realities" in the rapidly changing entertainment landscape. "This conference is for both aspiring and professional writers, providing a platform to not only share knowledge about the craft but also discuss the legalities of the industry—contracts, rights, and global trends," she explains. Anu highlights the importance of such spaces where writers can learn about their rights, ensuring they are adequately represented and compensated for their work.
SRAI, an organization that Anu is deeply involved with, has been pivotal in tackling issues such as unfair compensation, lack of credit, and legal challenges faced by screenwriters. Anu believes that the association is essential for advocating for screenwriters who often find themselves marginalized in the process of filmmaking. "The industry is constantly evolving, especially with the decline of theater viewership and the rise of digital platforms," she adds. Writers must understand these shifts in content production and distribution to navigate the industry more effectively.
Anu is the co-founder of Dopamine Media and a prolific author, she has been instrumental in raising the voices of writers in an industry often dominated by producers and actors.
For Anu, the ISC is also an opportunity to learn from her peers. "I’m looking forward to hearing from senior writers and peers during the conference. The discussions and masterclasses will help us all understand how to adapt to the changing market," she says. Her advice for aspiring writers? "Keep evolving, stay informed about your rights, and understand the market to ensure your work gets the recognition and remuneration it deserves."
The 7th Indian Screenwriters Conference kicks off on February 14th with an exciting lineup of sessions featuring industry stalwarts, such as Chris Keyser, Biswapati Sarkar, Satyanshu Singh, Aarti Kadav, Anjum Rajabali, Hitesh Kewaliya, Christo Tomy, Raj Shekhar, Nikkhil Advani, Kanu Behl, Anand Tiwari and more.