With Season 3 kicking off on a powerful note, Duologue with Barun Das stays true to its legacy of thought-provoking conversations that resonate across the globe. Don’t miss this compelling exchange of ideas. Tune in to News9 on February 22 and 23, 2025, at 10 PM.
The much-anticipated third season of Duologue with Barun Das kicks off with an insightful and thought-provoking conversation with acclaimed filmmaker Kiran Rao. The episode is set to premiere on News9 on February 22, 2025, promising an engaging discussion on storytelling, cinema, identity, and the evolving landscape of Bollywood.
Hosted by Barun Das, MD & CEO of TV9 Network, Duologue has emerged as a platform where thought leaders from diverse domains engage in deep, candid, and often surprising conversations. In this season opener, Kiran Rao delves into her creative process, the challenges facing contemporary Indian cinema, and the shifting paradigms of gender and identity in society.
Reflecting on the intersection of art and communication, Kiran Rao challenges the notion that storytelling is solely an artistic endeavour. “Storytelling is an integral part of news as well. Today, we are all storytellers in some way, thanks to social media. It’s an interesting world to be telling stories in,” she remarks during the conversation.
Addressing the state of Bollywood post-pandemic, Rao acknowledges the shifting audience preferences and the need for the industry to adapt. “We need to rediscover our audience. We are no longer speaking only to India; our films now reach a global audience through OTT. Perhaps, as an industry, we were a little complacent, assuming people would return to theatres regardless of what we made. That’s no longer the case.”
Beyond cinema, the episode takes a compelling turn towards identity and gender dynamics. Rao speaks candidly about the institutional biases women face in defining their own identities. “Women, more often than not, don’t even get the choice to define their own identity. Even today, legal documents link women’s identities to the men in their lives – as someone’s wife or daughter. That needs to change.”
Her perspective on gender roles extends to societal structures like marriage and the workforce. Rao challenges the glorification of multitasking women, stating, “We see it as a superpower when women juggle careers and homes, but it is actually exploitation. If all women joined the workforce and stopped doing unpaid labor, how would society function?”
Expressing his excitement for the season premiere, Barun Das shares, “Kiran Rao brings a refreshing and honest perspective on creativity, gender, and the future of cinema. Her ability to weave profound social themes into storytelling is remarkable. This episode sets the tone for what Duologue is all about, conversations that challenge perceptions and inspire change.”
Sharing her experience, about Duologue with Barun Das, the Oscar-nominated director said, “I would describe it as one of the most engaging and enriching conversations I’ve had because Barun Das is actually more interesting than many of the people he interviews, perhaps. So, I really enjoyed it. He, you know, got me to actually think about many things I hadn’t considered before. He gave me a formula that I am going to remember for life, something you’ll have to watch the show to find out.”
With Season 3 off to a compelling start, Duologue with Barun Das continues its tradition of bringing impactful discussions to audiences worldwide.
Tune in to News9 on February 22 and 23, 2025 at 10PM to witness this riveting exchange of ideas.
