In the 71st episode of Jam with Sam, we had an insightful conversation with Meenakshi Shedde, an internationally renowned film critic, curator, and programmer. With an illustrious career spanning film festivals, journalism, and film programming, Meenakshi has shaped the way Indian cinema is viewed on the global stage. From her childhood in Mumbai to winning the National Award and serving on juries at Cannes and Berlin, her journey is a fascinating blend of storytelling, passion, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
A Mumbai Childhood Rooted in Nature
Growing up in Santa Cruz, Mumbai, Meenakshi had a blissful childhood surrounded by nature. Her early years were filled with gardens, shepherds with their flocks, and the vast meadows that existed before urbanization took over. She fondly recalls the simple traditions of her family home in Dharwad, where rangolis were drawn with rice flour to feed ants, and a pot of coins and grains was kept at the doorstep to never send a beggar away empty-handed.
This deep connection with nature and culture shaped her worldview, making her sensitive to storytelling, traditions, and the human-animal connection—themes that often reflect in the films she champions.
From Economics to Journalism: A Curious Leap
Although Meenakshi pursued a B.A. in Economics from St. Xavier’s College, her true calling lay elsewhere. She later studied Journalism at KC College, proving that life’s best decisions are often unplanned.
Her journalism career began at Times of India, where she worked for 15 years, eventually becoming Assistant Editor. While writing editorials, features, and reports, she simultaneously pursued her passion for cinema by reviewing independent and regional films, which were often overlooked by mainstream critics. This dedication led her to win the National Award for Best Film Critic, a turning point that skyrocketed her into the international film circuit.
Bringing Indian Cinema to the World
Meenakshi’s love for films extended beyond reviews. She curates and selects films for prestigious festivals, including the Berlin Film Festival and Dubai International Film Festival.
What Does a Film Curator Do?
As a South Asia Consultant, Meenakshi watches hundreds of films across different Indian languages, selecting the best ones for international festivals. India, with its incredible diversity, produces films in over 42 languages, including lesser-known ones like Konkani, Tulu, Maithili, and Kokborok.
Her role ensures that regional gems get the global spotlight they deserve, helping filmmakers from small towns break into the international scene. It’s a responsibility she takes immense pride in, as it helps elevate Indian cinema beyond Bollywood.
The Changing Face of Cinema: Bollywood, Bahubali & Beyond
While Meenakshi enjoys Bollywood, she is a strong advocate for independent and regional cinema, which she believes showcases greater creativity and depth.
She highlights Bahubali as an example of how Telugu cinema outperformed Bollywood in storytelling, visual effects, and commitment. Unlike Bollywood, where most films are rushed, Bahubali’s team dedicated five years to creating a masterpiece.
She also sheds light on the dominance of commercial films, lamenting that smaller, meaningful films often don’t get the audience they deserve. As a curator, she works tirelessly to bring these hidden gems to light.
Film Censorship & The Indian Audience
Meenakshi strongly believes that films should be classified, not censored. She finds India’s censorship laws regressive, arguing that if adults can vote and marry, they should be able to watch films without government interference.
She also addresses the hypocrisy in Indian cinema—where sex is taboo on screen, yet India has a 1.3 billion population. The repression of natural human experiences, she argues, leads to a toxic culture where sexuality is misunderstood and misrepresented.
The Rise of Streaming: Will Netflix Kill Theatres?
With streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime changing the way we consume films, many fear that theatre culture is dying. Meenakshi, however, believes that while streaming is inevitable, there’s no replacement for the magic of watching a film in a packed theatre.
She reminisces about watching films in Galaxy Theatre, where real audiences—not critics live-tweeting their judgments—react genuinely to movies. The joy of cinema, she says, is in the collective experience of laughter, tears, and applause.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Cinema & Storytelling
Meenakshi’s journey is a testament to the power of storytelling—be it through journalism, film criticism, or curating international festivals. She urges young cinephiles to look beyond Bollywood, explore regional cinema, and appreciate the vast diversity of Indian films.
Her passion for cinema, commitment to authenticity, and dedication to independent filmmakers make her a pioneering force in the Indian film industry. Whether she’s fighting for better representation, curating hidden gems, or critiquing Bollywood’s flaws, one thing is clear—Meenakshi Shedde is here to make Indian cinema shine on the global stage.
About Meenakshi Shedde:
Meenakshi Shedde is an award-winning film critic, curator, and programmer, serving as a South Asia Consultant for the Berlin Film Festival. She has served on juries at Cannes, Berlin, and Venice, shaping how Indian cinema is perceived worldwide. With a career spanning journalism, film programming, and international curation, she remains one of the most influential voices in Indian cinema today.