Rabb Di Awaaz, India’s first multi-inclusive Hindi feature film, is setting a new benchmark for accessibility in Indian cinema. National Award-winning filmmaker Shri Ojaswwee Sharma was recently invited as a guest speaker at the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Chandigarh to discuss accessibility standards in the public exhibition of films. Sharing his insights on upcoming guidelines for film accessibility, Sharma used Rabb Di Awaaz as a pioneering example of how inclusive practices can be embedded throughout the filmmaking process.

Joining him at this significant meeting were the film’s leading actor, Shiv Kumar Sharma, and editor Bhasker Pandey. Held at Kendriya Sadan, Chandigarh, the meeting spotlighted the innovative and first-time initiatives taken in the production and certification of Rabb Di Awaaz, which has initiated a positive discussion on accessibility standards in Indian cinema. The meeting in Chandigarh was attended by the producers and filmmakers from the Chandigarh and Punjab Regions.

CBFC aims to implement the new guidelines from the 15th of September 2024 in the Certification process.

Earlier, on August 28, 2024, Rabb Di Awaaz was showcased at the CBFC Regional Office in New Delhi, where it was celebrated as a leading example of inclusive filmmaking. The film’s use of closed captions, audio description and sign language to make cinema accessible to visually and hearing-impaired audiences was highlighted, with Ojaswwee Sharma representing the film at the meeting at the CBFC’s New Delhi Regional office which was attended by film producers of the NCR Region.

Directed by Ojaswwee Sharma, the visionary filmmaker who won the Rajat Kamal National Award at the 68th National Film Awards for Admitted, Rabb Di Awaaz is a groundbreaking project that brings inclusivity to the forefront of storytelling. The film marks the debut of Shiv Kumar Sharma, a visually impaired legal and disability activist, alongside Abhinav Sharma and other well-known actors from the Tricity region. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to a narrative that has earned widespread acclaim.

Certified with a ‘U’ certification by the CBFC, Rabb Di Awaaz is available in formats that include Hindi and English subtitles, Hindi audio description, and Indian Sign Language, ensuring it can be enjoyed by all audiences, including those with visual and hearing impairments.

The film has already garnered prestigious accolades, including the Best Film 2024 award by the Media Federation of India and the Public Relations Council of India, presented by Acharya Devvrat, Hon’ble Governor of Gujarat. Additionally, the film received the Best Film on Disability 2024 award at the World Film Festival Cannes Online Edition.

With 158 screenings and counting, Rabb Di Awaaz continues its extraordinary journey, blending entertainment with education. Each screening emphasizes the vital themes of Inclusive Cinema, Inclusive Education, and mental health, creating a transformative impact on its audiences.

The film’s relevance extends globally, with letters of commendation from the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association, Institute of the Blind, National Association for the Blind, and the United States-India Relationship Council (USIRC), further highlighting its far-reaching impact.

You can invite Rabb Di Awaaz for screening at your venue by filling out the form at:
https://bit.ly/RDAScreeningEOI

For a detailed wiki and the film’s screening schedule, visit:
https://pinakamediaworks.com/rabb-di-awaaz-wiki

The film can be watched on the RFE TV Rolling Frames Entertainment YouTube channel.

This remarkable film was made possible through the generous support of patrons who believe in empowering education through innovation.