YathaKatha Edition 5 Concludes in Mumbai, Marking a New Era for Storytelling
The fifth edition of the YathaKatha festival in Mumbai concludes, celebrating the intersection of cinema and literature with global voices.
The fifth edition of the YathaKatha Film & Literature Festival has officially drawn to a close in Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of an event that seamlessly bridges the worlds of cinema and the written word. Held from September 28 to October 1, 2026, the festival explored the profound theme “Voices of a Changing India,” offering a vibrant platform for film, poetry, and literary discourse.
A Convergence of Global and Local Talent
The festival transformed into a melting pot of creativity, featuring an impressive lineup of industry veterans and rising stars. Attendees engaged in meaningful conversations with acclaimed leaders such as Rahul Rawail, Makarend Deshpande, Aaditi Pohankar, Mahesh Thakur, Jayati Bhatia, Anangsha Biswas, Yogendra Vikram Singh, and Sawan Tank. The cinematic discussions were further enriched by professionals including Dr. Piyush Roy, Anurag Mishra, and Nivedita Pohankar.
Adding a significant international dimension to this edition was the presence of Brazilian filmmaker and artist Clara Clarice. Representing the Ministry of Culture, Brazil, her participation facilitated a broader global dialogue on cultural exchange, proving that the festival's reach extends far beyond Indian borders.
Literary Milestones and Creative Workshops
One of the standout moments of the festival was the launch of The Last Bargain, a new fiction thriller by author Nikhlesh Mathur. The launch was graced by Rahul Rawail, Makarand Deshpande, and Clara Clarice. Reflecting on the experience, Mathur expressed his amazement at the organization and the rapt attention of the audience. “What touched me the most was seeing the diverse crowd—especially the students in the audience—listening with such intense interest,” Mathur noted.
The festival also delved deep into the technical and historical aspects of storytelling through several specialized sessions:
- SWA Writers’ Room: An exploration of the craft of writing for the screen and how literary sensibilities are adapted into contemporary OTT and cinematic narratives.
- Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal Session: A deep dive into the "unique bond" between Marathi literature and cinema, examining how the two mediums have influenced each other over decades.
Empowering the Next Generation
A core objective of YathaKatha remains the engagement of young talent. Mr. Ashish Mehta, representing the management of UPG College, highlighted that such collaborations are vital for students to understand the realities of the creative industries and build professional confidence. This sentiment was echoed by the festival's founder, Charu Sharma.
“Closing our fifth edition is an emotional moment for me, but I see it less as an ending and more as the beginning of a new chapter,” said Sharma. He noted that seeing students engage so openly with masters of the craft was the most moving aspect of the year. “If YathaKatha can give even one young person the confidence to find their voice... then our work has meaning.”
Collaborators and Supporters
The festival was held in collaboration with SVKM’s Usha Pravin Gandhi College of Arts, Science & Commerce, with Krokio Products Pvt. Ltd. serving as the main partner. The event was supported by a wide array of organizations, including Union Bank of India Mumbai, NTPC Auraiya, RV University Bengaluru, Lakshya Trust Gujarat, Arena Animation, Poetry Circle 2.0, and several others, ensuring a robust ecosystem for the celebration of arts and letters.