Exploring Cinematic Influence: The Evolution from 'Pad Man' to 'Lear Rex'
In her pursuit of making a difference in the world, Natasha Mudhar transitioned from her film publicist role to backing films that resonated with her desire for change. Today, she's backing projects like the Ramla Ali biopic "In The Shadows," Al Pacino-starrer "Lear Rex," and Johnny Depp-directed "Modi - Three Days on the Wing of Madness."
During an exclusive interview, she spoke about the transformative 2018 movie "Pad Man," starring Akshay Kumar. The film focused on Arunachalam Muruganantham, the man who revolutionized access to affordable sanitary pads in rural India. Mudhar recognized the stigma surrounding menstrual health and acknowledged the challenges in engaging audiences, especially men. Nevertheless, she successfully employed high-profile voices and garnered international media coverage, ultimately aiding in the abolition of the tax on sanitary pads in India.
"Pad Man" underscored the importance of storytelling as a tool for raising awareness and sparking conversations that can drive meaningful action and change. This belief carried over to Mudhar's work on Kumar's 2017 film "Toilet Ek Prem Katha," which addressed the crisis of open defecation and highlighted its impact on gender rights and community empowerment.
Mudhar's experiences with these notable films led her to understand the influence of cinema on society at large. She believes that cinema can act as an accelerator, bringing diverse stakeholders together to address pressing global challenges. Her work with non-profits, NGOs, and the UN at her global impact consultancy, "The World We Want," equipped her with a global perspective that has shaped her vision for her production company, "The World We Want Studios."
When it came to tackling politically volatile environments, Mudhar emphasized the value of strategic storytelling as a catalyst for driving change. Her collaborations with governments, UN agencies, and international organizations revealed the transformative power of compelling stories that resonate emotionally while encouraging audiences to take action.
Her company is currently involved in co-financing the upcoming biopic "In The Shadows," focusing on the life of boxing champion Ramla Ali. This project promises to offer an inspiring story of resilience and self-discovery, with a universal appeal that transcends cultural and language barriers.
Mudhar formed a strategic partnership with veteran producer Barry Navidi during "An Evening with Pacino" in London. This collaboration eventually led to her involvement in Navidi's projects, including co-producing "Lear Rex" and serving as an executive producer for "Modi - Three Days on the Wing of Madness." Both films showcase universal themes and offer an intimate look at the struggles and triumphs of their respective subjects.
Driven by her passion, Mudhar's dedication to changing the world was fortified by the women in her family, from her great-grandmother to her mother, who displayed remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Growing up in a multicultural London, Mudhar was influenced by stories of both privilege and struggle, further igniting her passion for using storytelling to bridge divides, amplify underrepresented voices, and drive meaningful change.
- Natasha Mudhar's current endeavors include backing films like the Al Pacino-starrer "Lear Rex," which aligns with her desire for social impact campaigns in entertainment.
- The social change and films like 'Toilet Ek Prem Katha' and 'Pad Man' have inspired Mudhar to understand the impact of cinema on societal shifts.
- Mudhar's production company, "The World We Want Studios," is co-financing the upcoming biopic "In The Shadows," starring boxing champion Ramla Ali, for its universal appeal and inspirational narrative.
- In an interview, Mudhar discussed 'Pad Man,' a film that sparked conversations about menstrual health, ultimately leading to the abolition of the tax on sanitary pads in India.
- With collaborations like the one with veteran producer Barry Navidi, Mudhar's work extends to co-producing "Lear Rex" and serving as an executive producer for "Modi - Three Days on the Wing of Madness," both showcasing powerful stories that resonate globally.
- Jessica, a key team member at "The World We Want Studios," shares Mudhar's vision in employing strategic storytelling to create change and counteract stigmas, such as those surrounding menstrual health.
- Through her partnership with Catalyst, an organization dedicated to advancing women in their careers, Mudhar's work visa applications for international projects have been expedited, allowing for increased opportunities to make a global impact through entertainment social impact campaigns.
