**Executive Summary**
On May 29, 2026, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) hosted an interactive panel session titled "Beyond Labels: Our Dreams, Our Stories" and a screening of the film *Sitaare Zameen Par* at the National Museum of Indian Cinema, Mumbai. The event celebrated Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) by spotlighting five differently-abled young actors to promote a more inclusive cinematic ecosystem. Key activities included the formal felicitation of the cast and their families by NFDC General Manager Shri D Ramakrishnan.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Event Overview and Purpose**
* The session aimed to champion an inclusive cinematic ecosystem and celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
* The panel moved away from traditional Q&A formats to a "conversation between hearts" regarding personal stories and dreams.
* The event featured a video tribute honoring NFDC’s 50-year contribution to Indian cinema.
* **Featured Talent ("Zitaares from Mumbai")**
* **Simran Mangeshkar:** Recognized as the first female differently-abled actor in mainstream Bollywood and winner of Best Supporting Actress at the 2026 INCA Awards.
* **Aroush Datta:** A motivational influencer and actor known for advocacy in community inclusion.
* **Vedant Sharma:** A multi-talented graduate and "Rising Influencer" recognized for skills in Yoga, dance, and culinary arts.
* **Samvit Desai:** An award-winning open-mic host recognized for spreading positivity.
* **Aayush Bhansali:** A trained Kathak and Tap dancer and winner of the Courage in Cinema Award.
* **Rishi Shahani:** A Special Olympics medalist and cancer survivor who shared a virtual message of support.
* **Recognition and Concluding Activities**
* GM NFDC Shri D Ramakrishnan commended the actors for breaking barriers in mainstream entertainment.
* NFDC formally felicitated the parents of the cast members, acknowledging them as the core support teams at home.
* The event concluded with an exclusive screening of the sports comedy-drama *Sitaare Zameen Par*.
**Impact Analysis**
**Differently-abled Actors**
**Impact**
The actors received formal industry recognition and a platform to share their artistic achievements and resilience. Their participation highlighted their role in breaking barriers within mainstream Bollywood.
**Action Required**
They are encouraged to continue their roles as "change agents" in driving inclusion through their artistry and public presence.
**National Film Development Corporation (NFDC)**
**Impact**
The organization reinforced its core vision of inclusivity and marked its 50th anniversary by aligning its brand with social awareness and Global Accessibility Awareness Day.
**Action Required**
The NFDC must continue to drive change for inclusion and inspiration within the cinematic ecosystem as stated by the General Manager.
**Families of the Cast**
**Impact**
Parents were publicly acknowledged and honored for their "unwavering love, strength, and belief," which was identified as vital to the success of the stars.
**Action Required**
Continue providing the necessary "at home" support and advocacy for the actors' ongoing careers.
**The Cinema Audience / Public**
**Impact**
The audience gained insight into the challenges and triumphs of differently-abled talent, moving toward a definition of "true inclusion."
**Action Required**
The public is called upon to play a role in driving inclusion and recognizing that "we ourselves are the change."
Key Entities Referenced
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC): The primary organizing body that hosted the panel session and screening to champion an inclusive cinematic ecosystem.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD): The international initiative celebrated by the event to focus on accessibility and inclusion for differently-abled individuals.
Sitaare Zameen Par: The sports comedy-drama film whose cast members were honored for their impact on breaking barriers in mainstream entertainment.
National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC), Mumbai: The central venue hosting the interactive panel session and exclusive film screening.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
NFDC honours the stars of Sitaare Zameen Par in
celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness
Day at the National Museum of Indian Cinema
Posted On: 30 MAY 2026 11:32AM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 30 May 2026
With the core vision of championing a truly inclusive cinematic ecosystem, the National Film
Development Corporation (NFDC) successfully hosted a deeply touching interactive panel
session and exclusive screening of the sports comedy-drama Sitaare Zameen Par at the National
Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC), Mumbai on Friday (May 29, 2026). The session celebrated
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), and threw spotlight on five of the film's phenomenal
young actors. Moving away from traditional Q&A formats, the session went as a "conversation
between hearts.” The topic of the panel session was ‘Beyond Labels : Our Dreams, Our Stories’
Organized by the Department of Masterclasses and Panel Sessions headed by Ms. Gouri Nair, the
session commenced with a video honoring 50 years of NFDC's contribution to Indian cinema.
Popularly introduced as the “Zitaares from Mumbai,” the young cast members included - Aroush
Datta (Satbir), a brilliant actor and motivational influencer who recently delivered a powerful
TEDx talk on community inclusion; Vedant Sharma (Bantu), a multi-talented practitioner of
Yoga, dancer, chef, swimmer, and graduate recently recognized by the Influencer Book of World
Records as a Rising Influencer, Samvit Desai (Kareem Qureshi), an award-winning open-mic
host and global talent recognized for spreading vibrant positivity; Simran Mangeshkar (Golu
Khan), the standout female lead of the squad, recognized by the Influencer Book of World
Records as the first female differently-abled actor in mainstream Bollywood, and winner of the
Best Supporting Actress award at the inaugural INCA Awards 2026; and Aayush Bhansali
(Lotus), a trained Kathak and Tap dancer, music enthusiast, and animal lover who swept heartsby winning the Best Performance in an Ensemble and the Courage in Cinema Award. A touching
virtual message was also shared by Rishi Shahani, a real-life cancer survivor and Special
Olympics medalist, who, despite a personal emergency, sent a heartwarming video to connect
with the audience.
Shri D Ramakrishnan, GM NFDC, joined the young champions on stage for a formal felicitation.
Addressing the gathering, he commended the actors for their impact on breaking barriers in
mainstream entertainment. The floor was then opened to the audience for a lively dialogue with
the stars about their courtside laughs, hobbies, thoughts, on-set challenges, and how they
define true inclusion. Each speaker took a moment to share their personal reflections, leaving
the audience inspired by their resilience and artistry. "The true takeaway from today’s
conversation is that we all have a role to play in driving that change for inclusion and
inspiration. We need to bring change. We ourselves are the change."
As a powerful concluding note, NFDC extended its deepest gratitude to the families behind the
stars. Acknowledging the unwavering love, strength, and belief of the core support teams at
home, NFDC felicitated the parents of Simran, Samvit, Aroush, Vedant, and Aayush. The session
was followed by an exclusive screening of Sitaare Zameen Par on Friday evening.* * *
PIB Mumbai | Sriyanka Chatterjee/Darshana Rane
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