A heartfelt evening dedicated to cinema, memories, and the evolving future of storytelling unfolded in Mumbai as actress and author Dhruvee Haldankar hosted a special red carpet and book launch event celebrating the legacy of her father, noted cinematographer and documentary filmmaker Deepak Haldankar.
The highlight of the evening was the launch of the biography Beyond the Frame, Beyond Fear – The Extraordinary Life of Cinematographer Deepak Haldankar, written by Dhruvee Haldankar as a deeply personal tribute to her father’s remarkable life and cinematic journey. The book pays homage to Deepak Haldankar’s dedication to documentary filmmaking and his passion for capturing authentic stories of people, culture, and society through his lens.
The book was officially launched by acclaimed actress and singer Ila Arun, who shares a long-standing personal connection with the Haldankar family.
The evening was hosted by actor and radio personality Mantra Mugdh, who guided the audience through the celebration and conversations of the night.
The event also featured a meaningful and thought-provoking discussion on documentary filmmaking, the growing role of artificial intelligence in cinema, and the future of storytelling. The conversation brought together several respected voices from the film and media industry including Rama Pandey, Prakash Magdum, Gulfam Khan, Sharbani Deodhar, Harish Bhimani, Siddharth Kak, Sharavati Prabhu, veteran cameraman Ajit Nayak — known for his work on the iconic television series Ramayan — and filmmaker Vipin Chowbal, who made a film on ambidextrous children.
Several well-known personalities from the entertainment and cultural space also attended the evening to show their support. Celebrities spotted at the event included Rukhsar Rehman, Roop Durgapal, Ishita Arun, Shilpa Mehta, Sujata Mehta, Rinhee Subberwal, Sharmila Cirvante, Pooja Seth, Heital Puniwala and Hansa Singh.
Through this gathering, the organizers celebrated the enduring legacy of Deepak Haldankar while also opening up meaningful dialogue about how documentary cinema continues to evolve in an era shaped by new technologies and changing audience perspectives.
The evening turned into an emotional tribute as well as a forward-looking conversation, bringing together artists, filmmakers, and storytellers to honour a life dedicated to cinema and to reflect on the future of visual storytelling.
