Celebrated filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani joined an esteemed panel at the WAVE summit for a thought-provoking session titled “Stories that Touch Hearts Around the World.” The discussion brought together some of the most influential voices in storytelling, including Kaitlin Yarnall, Chief Storytelling Officer at National Geographic Society; Justin Warbrooke, EVP and Head of Corporate Development at The Walt Disney Company; Kelly Day, Vice President of International at Amazon Prime Video; and Phil Hardman, EVP & General Manager of BBC Studios Asia. The session was moderated by bestselling author and diplomat Amish Tripathi.
pib.gov.in |
This diverse panel of visionaries explored the evolving landscape of global storytelling across platforms such as cinema, television, streaming, and literature. They emphasised how powerful narratives can transcend geographical and cultural boundaries, shaping global perceptions and sparking social change. The conversation delved deep into the emotional, strategic, and creative dimensions that make stories resonate on a universal level.
Rajkumar Hirani, known for his deeply human and heartwarming films, brought a grounded yet insightful perspective to the discussion. Addressing the growing concern around declining theatre attendance, Hirani offered a candid analysis: “People scroll on reels for hours and their visual thirst is gone. People have so much content to consume on various platforms that people only want to step out when they hear about an unusual film.” His words echoed the sentiments of many in the film industry grappling with changing audience behaviors.
He further explained that even well-crafted films sometimes struggle at the box office because today’s viewers are saturated with readily accessible content. According to Hirani, for a film to compel audiences to leave the comfort of their homes, it must promise something truly extraordinary or different.
Highlighting the deeply personal nature of storytelling, Hirani noted that its impact is inherently subjective. Despite these challenges, Hirani expressed optimism about the future. He spoke about the role of technology-particularly artificial intelligence-as a supportive tool for filmmakers. He believes AI has the potential to ‘enhance creativity and elevate storytelling’ rather than replace the human element that makes stories meaningful.
