Deepa Gahlot: The Indie Film Champion Leading Mumbai’s Upcoming WIFF 2025

When you talk about champions of Indian indie cinema, one name that instantly shines is Deepa Gahlot. Journalist, critic, author, theatre lover, and now Festival Director of the brand-new Waterfront Indie Film Festival (WIFF), she’s someone who has dedicated her life to amplifying stories beyond the mainstream.

This October, as WIFF makes its debut in Mumbai’s Versova from 2–6 October 2025, Deepa Gahlot stands at the heart of this cultural movement, curating films and conversations that promise to reshape the way India looks at independent cinema.

Early Roots in Cinema & Theatre

Deepa’s journey began with a love for literature and performing arts. With degrees in English literature and theatre, she built a foundation that later made her one of India’s sharpest film critics.

Her big milestone came in 1998, when she won the National Film Award for Best Film Criticism a recognition of her keen eye and ability to decode what cinema really means for society.

Author, Critic, Curator

Over the years, Deepa has worn many hats:

• Biographies like King Khan: Shah Rukh Khan Biography and Shammi Kapoor: The Dancing Hero

• Film anthologies like Take 2: 50 Films that Deserve a New Audience

• Women-focused books like Sheroes: 25 Daring Women of Bollywood

She also collaborated with the late Shashi Kapoor on The Prithviwallahs—a book that captures Mumbai’s iconic Prithvi Theatre.

Through her blog deepagahlot.com and columns, she continues to spotlight women’s issues, indie narratives, and forgotten cinematic gems.

WIFF 2025: A Festival with Flow

The Waterfront Indie Film Festival (WIFF) is co-founded by Deepa Gahlot, Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri, and Vinta Nanda. Its philosophy—“openness, flow, and connection”—echoes in its design.

What to expect at WIFF 2025:

• Opening Panel at NGMA: “The Art of Independent Cinema: Curating for Change,” moderated by Deepa herself with indie icons like Rajat Kapoor.

• 70+ films from India and abroad across Youth, Teen, North East, Community, and Micro Shorts sections.

• Workshops & Masterclasses on screenwriting, AI in cinema, and film restoration.

• A community-driven vibe in Versova, reviving the old spirit of Mumbai’s cine clubs.
  

Beyond the Festival

Deepa Gahlot is also head of the Theatre & Film Department at NCPA Mumbai, where she curates plays and film screenings that keep art lovers engaged all year. From translating plays to serving on juries at festivals like MIFF, she’s always building bridges between cinema, theatre, and audiences.

Why She Matters

For indie filmmakers struggling to find space in a Bollywood-dominated landscape, Deepa Gahlot represents hope and validation. WIFF 2025 may just be the platform that helps new voices find recognition and audiences discover fresh stories.

As Mumbai gears up for WIFF’s first edition this October, Deepa’s vision reminds us why festivals matter: because cinema is not just entertainment, it’s dialogue, discovery, and sometimes—revolution. Aapke Sawal, Hamare Jawab! (FAQs)

1. When is WIFF 2025 happening in Mumbai? The Waterfront Indie Film Festival (WIFF) will run from 2nd to 6th October 2025 in Versova, Mumbai.

2. Who is the Festival Director of WIFF 2025? The festival is being led by Deepa Gahlot, a celebrated critic, author, and NCPA Mumbai’s Theatre & Film Head.

3. What kind of films will WIFF showcase? WIFF will screen over 70 films—from youth and teen stories to films from the North East, micro shorts, and global indie gems.

4. What makes WIFF different from other film festivals in India? WIFF is designed as a community-driven space, reviving the cinephile culture of the 1970s film societies, with a focus on inclusivity, diversity, and meaningful dialogue.

5. Can regular audiences attend WIFF 2025? Yes! Tickets and passes will be available for the public, making it accessible to cinephiles, students, and anyone curious about independent cinema.