Empowering through inclusivity
INDIAN–AMERICAN DESIGNER ANJALI PHOUGAT’S SHORT, INCLUSION THROUGH UNITY, WON THE BEST SHORT SHOT AWARD AT CANNES
For Ohio-based Indian American designer Anjali Phougat, the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival brought double celebrations. While model Chaitanya Poloju walked the red carpet for Anjali at Cannes, showcasing her collection, Anjali’s film, Inclusion Through Unity, won the Best Short Shot Award under the Global Short Film Awards at the prestigious event.
While the film was directed by Alex Rogers, Anjali, produced, cowrote and starred in the two-minute short, which focuses on body positivity, diversity and inclusivity.
“I am overwhelmed with the award,” an excited Anjali told us, adding how much of a great honour it is to win the award. “This is my maiden project and I couldn’t have asked for better recognition,” says Anjali, beaming.
Her film appears to be an extension of Anjali’s beliefs, who points out to us that body-shaming, gender inequality and LGBTQ community acceptance are among the big issues plaguing the world today.
ALL-INCLUSIVE
The designer was apparently inspired to make the film after listening to stories of discrimination in Florida in April this year, where she’d been to design the fashion show wardrobe for an
NGO. “I’d always wanted to make something meaningful in the field of fashion. But after listening to stories of domestic violence and human trafficking, I decided to make a film on discrimination,” reveals Anjali, who was herself subjected to racism when she had relocated to the US several years ago.
Anjali, who was also Miss Haryana 2000, tells us she always believed in the strength of cause-based films in inspiring and uplifting many communities. “I strongly believe we can change the world through unity and that we should be kind and inclusive. The whole objective (of the film) is to spread love and positivity and to celebrate every culture with love and support,” says the 38-year-old.
She chose a cast who were earlier subjected to discrimination at some point in their lives. The film’s cast, apart from Anjali, included Mounika Siriguppi, Arunita Ghosh, Vincent Natasha Gay, Clare Delune, Lina Lelli and Resha Sukoshi. “I believe in using my designs and attitude to empower women of all shapes, sizes and colours. And given my film’s title, Inclusion Through Unity,I wanted to implement and show it first-hand and lead by example.”
The Ohio State
University honoured Anjali
by recognising her efforts. She
was also invited to design clothes
for the University’s forthcoming fashion show
DREAMING EVER SO BIG
Anjali, who has two Masters Degrees — in Philosophy and Computer Science — works for an investment bank in the US in addition to being a mother of a nine-year-old daughter. She admits that balancing work and her passion of being in the fashion world has been difficult. “I think there’s time for everything; it’s just that you have to prioritise your tasks accordingly,” says the designer.