Dehradun Literature Festival 2025 Day 2: Netflix's 'Delhi Crime' actor Shefali Shah opens up on her powerful roles; Adil Hussain, Nandita Das discuss how cinema impacts society

The second day of the 7th edition of the Dehradun Literature Festival (DDLF) at Doon International School continued to inspire with dynamic dialogues, creative workshops, and soulful performances. Building on the spirit of the opening day, the festival celebrated the coming together of ideas and imagination under the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – Voices of Unity.”

The morning began on an empowering note with a thought-provoking conversation on “Women in Power – Leading the Charge”, featuring the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, and Venu Agrahari Dhingra, celebrating women who continue to redefine leadership and purpose in India. The session was moderated by Priyal Bhardwaj, General Secretary, BJP Mahila Morcha, Delhi.

Addressing the crowd, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, said, “Uttarakhand’s women have always lived lives of immense courage and responsibility. I urge Venu ji to write a book on the journeys of the women of our state, for their struggles and strengths deserve to be told to the world. Coming from a simple defence family myself, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by the households of our soldiers.”

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He added, “When Prime Minister Modi visited the Dham of Baba Kedar, he said from his heart that this decade will be the decade of Uttarakhand. From Ujjwala Yojana, which has given 13 crore women access to clean cooking gas, to the strengthening of self-help groups across the state, transformative change is visible in every home.”

Addressing the students in the audience, the Chief Minister said, “Gen Z must take an active interest in politics and national affairs. The work culture of our country is changing under Prime Minister Modi—those who work hard and work honestly are being recognised.”

Highlighting leadership values, he remarked, “A leader must be gentle in conduct, but firm and honest when taking decisions. I want every daughter of Uttarakhand to become a leader—leadership is not limited to politics, it is about excelling in one’s chosen field. Our state has produced icons like Bachendri Pal, who showed the world what determination looks like.”

Author Venu Agrahari Dhingra said, “When a woman rises to a position of responsibility, she inevitably becomes a role model for countless others. For me, President Draupadi Murmu is one such extraordinary example—her journey is a testament to resilience, dignity, and the quiet power of hope. Every woman in leadership creates a path for another to follow.”

During the occasion, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, along with the First Lady of Uttarakhand, Geeta Dhami, officially launched Venu Agrahari Dhingra’s book Leading Ladies – The New Wave of Female Politicians.

The day continued with an engaging line-up of sessions that drew audiences into worlds of memory, learning, and global wisdom. Author Ajay Jain transported the gathering back to their childhood through “Back to School – Memories, Stories and Nostalgia”, a heartwarming exploration of friendship, innocence, and the timeless joys of student life. Sharing reflections on the essence of meaningful schooling, Ajay emphasised that parents must allow teachers the freedom to teach without interference, and reminded the audience that new-age technology is not a prerequisite for imparting the finest knowledge — it is the environment of trust, curiosity, and guidance that truly shapes a child’s learning experience.

Simultaneously, educationist and actor Swaroop Sampat Rawal, in conversation with H.S. Mann, unpacked the evolving purpose of education in “Education with a Heart – Rethinking the Indian Classroom”, emphasising the need to reimagine classrooms as spaces rooted in care, curiosity, empathy, and inclusion. Adding a global dimension to the day’s discourse, poet-diplomat Abhay K joined Murtaza Ali Khan for “The Eternal Classroom – India and the Globe”, offering a reflective journey through his works and highlighting how India’s civilizational wisdom continues to shape and inspire intellectual thought worldwide.

The day also featured an electrifying exchange of ideas and artistic journeys during “Mic Check – Indie Musicians Roundtable”, where independent artists Osho Jain, Vedi Sinha, Buland Himalay, and Nikhil Saklani engaged in a lively conversation with RJ Sapna. Later, a powerful literary dialogue unfolded in “Reclaiming Sita’s Narrative – Trin Dhari Ot”, as Anamika, along with Nishtha Gautam and Prashant Kochhar, delved into the themes of her work Trin Dhari Ot, followed by the launch of its English translation, Sita’s Veil.

Another insightful session titled “The Global Classroom – A Momentum of Collaboration and Compassion”, brought together HE Juan Antonio March Pujol, Ambassador of Spain to India, and Abhay K, as they reflected on Momentum, the Ambassador’s authored work. The conversation explored the book’s core ideas and the broader global lessons it offers on cultural collaboration, empathy, and shared learning. The session was moderated by Saumya Kulshreshtha.

Historian Sam Dalrymple explored the deep emotional and historical layers of partition through “From Fracture to Continuum – The Many Partitions of Our Land”, shedding light on how fragmented histories continue to shape modern identity.

Acclaimed filmmaker and composer Vishal Bhardwaj enchanted audiences in “Of Metaphors and Melodies – Vishal Bhardwaj’s Poetry and Lyrics”, sharing insights on his creative process and how his poetry finds rhythm in cinema.

Speaking during his session, Indian filmmaker and musical composer Vishal Bhardwaj said, “Shayari has never been about words for me — it is a feeling, something you can neither force nor explain. I grew up listening to poetry because my father was a poet, and those early days with Dr. Bashir Badr’s verses shaped me. Even today, the greatest fear for any creative person is becoming irrelevant, and that fear keeps me evolving. Working with Gulzar sahab has been a blessing; he is living poetry, someone who can create a sher in the backseat of a car. This book of mine exists only because he insisted that I must not hide my words forever. Every encounter — from Gulzar sahab to Ambar ji — has opened a new path for me, reminding me that poetry and music are journeys of constant learning.”

Continuing the theme, legendary singer Rekha Bhardwaj, along with Malini Awasthi, in their session “Gaon, Ghar, Gaatha – The Folk Roots of India”, explored the musical essence of India’s folk traditions and the timeless stories of its land and people.

Yet another highlight of the day was “The Woman in the Frame – Shefali Shah’s Cinema”, where acclaimed actor Shefali Shah engaged in a riveting conversation with author Akshat Gupta. The dialogue offered a compelling exploration of her cinematic journey, delving into the women she portrays, the voices they reclaim, and the agency they embody through her powerful performances.

In “The Alternate Act – Cinematic Storytelling with a Purpose”, moderated by Lakshmi Deb Roy, Nandita Das, Adil Hussain and Leena Yadav discussed cinema as a transformative space that mirrors society and celebrates human resilience.

The day also featured creative workshops — Character Lab and Tiny Thinkers — encouraging young participants to explore storytelling, empathy, and imagination through guided exercises.

A rich tapestry of ideas, histories, and creative expressions unfolded through multiple sessions throughout the day. “The Labyrinth of History – Unearthing Narratives of Courage and Complexity” brought together Gautam Hazarika, Probal Dasgupta, Jyotsna Mohan, and Neena Nehru for a compelling exploration of contemporary history and its layered impact on society. In a moving performative session titled “Tongues of Flame – Tales of Sufi Women”, Amy Singh and Radhika Sood Nayak illuminated the spiritual depth and emotional power of women Sufi mystics. Celebrating female voices further, “HerStory in Verse 3.0” featured Rochelle Potkar, Sanchi Mannotra, Amy Singh, Saumya Kulshreshtha, and Kena Shree in an engaging dialogue on women poets who continue to break barriers and shape new literary landscapes. The session “Writing India – Mapping the Soul of a Nation”, with Sean Doyle, Mona Verma, Priyanka Kaintura, Bijoya Sawian, and Karthik Venkatesh, examined the diverse genres and narratives that define the idea of In

The evening concluded beautifully with “From the Himalayas, With Love”, featuring soulful live performances by Osho Jain, Buland Himalay, and Vedi Sinha, whose heartfelt music brought the day to a poetic and powerful close.