Stride directed by G Bhargava Rao

Stride: Empowering Disabilities in Filmmaking

Persons with disabilities remain strikingly underrepresented in Indian cinema—both onscreen and behind the camera. Conversations with film industry personalities revealed deep-seated hesitations: lack of formal training, limited exposure, and inaccessible locations. Most admitted they had never considered including disabled talent. Determined to bridge this gap, YWTC Trust launched an initiative to train persons with disabilities, unlock their creative potential, and produce films showcasing their abilities.

We approached the prestigious Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), and their officials responded with remarkable support, enabling tailored programs. Partnering with an MNC’s CSR initiative, we offered comprehensive filmmaking courses—acting, dubbing, screenplay writing, and smartphone filmmaking—empowering participants with professional skills.

We extended opportunities to the LGBTQ community in making this film. We arranged training for our cast with an award-winning transwoman actor Negha who played a key role in this film, for greater authenticity. Not just course participants, we included their families too—Geetha’s husband took on a role alongside her contributions as a participant and venue supporter. Director Bhargav supported the artists with a lot of passion and empathy.

From participant-submitted stories, we selected a compelling narrative about a transgender wheelchair user. The story writer crafted the script, while cast and crew were drawn from trainees. Smartphone filmmaking graduates handled cinematography assistance, and CSR partner volunteers filled key roles. True to our commitment, we incorporated sign language interpretation and audio description.

Well-wishers provided accessible venues. Protagonist Sai Krishnan delivered a heartfelt performance that earned widespread acclaim.

“Stride” transcends a short film—it’s proof that disabled and LGBTQ talent thrives with opportunity. By dismantling barriers through inclusive training and hands-on production, we’ve challenged industry stereotypes, amplified marginalized voices, and inspired true inclusion in cinema.