Bollywood Scriptwriter Atika Chohan Challenges MBA Students: A Lesson in Persuasive Storytelling and Social Impact
Mumbai, India – Atika Chohan, the acclaimed Bollywood scriptwriter known for films tackling complex social issues, recently delivered a provocative guest lecture to MBA students, challenging them to consider the power and responsibility that comes with storytelling.
During a seemingly typical Tuesday afternoon, as MBA students settled in after lunch, Atika Chohan, a guest speaker and accomplished Bollywood scriptwriter, took an unconventional approach. Instead of launching into a prepared speech, she questioned her own presence, instantly capturing the room’s attention.
“Why invite a feminist writer like me,” she asked, “when you could have the Stree (horror film) screenwriter?”
This bold opening, as those present described, perfectly encapsulated Chohan’s style: a blend of provocation, psychological insight, and persuasive communication.
Chohan’s filmography includes titles like Margarita With a Straw, which portrays a young woman with cerebral palsy, and guilty, a film addressing the sensitive topic of college rape. She has established herself as a master of weaving pressing social commentary into narratives that resonate with audiences. During her lecture, she shared personal anecdotes, including childhood experiences, her fondness for James Hadley Chase novels, and even a daring escapade at Yash Raj studios, all of which contributed to her activist approach to storytelling.
The Making of a Storyteller: Influences and Insights
Chohan delved into the formative influences that shaped her unique storytelling style, offering a glimpse into her childhood and early inspirations.
When asked about her childhood reading influences, Chohan highlighted the impact of authors who challenged societal norms and explored complex themes. She also described her childhood, marked by unique challenges, as a crucible for developing her perceptive abilities.
“I grew up in a very dysfunctional setup. My father had schizophrenia and he was an alcoholic, and my mother was like the master caretaker, and then I was the sub caretaker- so I knew that the little time that I have, I have to max it. That was my rebellion – to do everything, to create that juice in the small moments that you have, you know you have limited time to yourself as you have bigger duties to deal with.”
this surroundings, she explained, fostered a need to quickly assess situations and connect with others, a skill that later became integral to her persuasive storytelling.
Chohan elaborated on her ability to “read the room,” a skill honed from a young age. She emphasized the importance of observing non-verbal cues and adapting communication styles to effectively engage with an audience.
“It’s second nature now, but it came from the necessity of my childhood. It’s a combination of IQ and EQ -you want to elicit a genuine connection from the other person. You want them to actually listen to your case.”
She stressed the importance of understanding the audience’s state of mind and tailoring the message accordingly. This ability to connect with people on a personal level is, according to Chohan, the foundation of persuasive storytelling.
Breaking into Bollywood: Audacity and Chance
Chohan recounted her unconventional entry into the Bollywood film industry, highlighting the role of chance, determination, and a healthy dose of audacity.
She shared the story of how she managed to gain access to Yash Raj Studios, a major film production company, with little more than a script and a bold idea.
“Someone told me if you manage to get into Yash Raj studios you can submit your script ther. I had just graduated from Film and Television Institute and had come to Bombay with just Rs.5000 in my bank. I had a script, which I’m now so embarrassed to even show to people. But in that moment, I had a strange irrational overconfidence.I talked my way to the studio and begged to use the washroom. Somehow the receptionist took pity on me and let me in. when I was there I took out my phone and took so many photos. I took my own sweet time to pee. As I was like, maybe this is the only time you will ever be at Yash Raj studios. So just enjoy this moment ! Somehow I was actually able to convince the person at the front desk to let me meet the person who heads the script department. Five or six weeks later, I got a call. It was from Yash Raj studios ! We would like you to work on something that we have, would you want to pursue that? I mean, who the hell will say no to that?”
This anecdote illustrates the importance of persistence and resourcefulness in pursuing one’s goals, especially in a competitive industry like filmmaking. It’s a story many aspiring creatives in the U.S.can relate to, whether trying to break into Hollywood, the music industry, or the art world.
Storytelling with a Purpose: Social Commentary in Cinema
Chohan’s work frequently enough tackles sensitive social issues, aiming to spark dialog and promote change. she discussed her approach to storytelling as a tool for social activism.
She emphasized the importance of engaging audiences, even those who may not be initially receptive to feminist or socially conscious narratives. In the context of mainstream Indian cinema,where male-centric narratives often dominate,Chohan sees her work as an opportunity to challenge conventional representations of women and marginalized communities.
“It means being able to engage an audience which is not an audience that’s pleasant to feminist tales.In mainstream Indian cinema, the narrative typically centers on men. When women appear, it’s tokenism.”
Chohan views storytelling as a form of “noble manipulation,” using carefully arranged truths to compel action and inspire change. This resonates with the broader understanding of storytelling as a powerful tool for persuasion, whether in filmmaking, law, or business.
the Tangible Impact: Policy Changes and Personal Transformations
Chohan shared examples of the real-world impact of her films, including policy changes and personal transformations among audience members.
She cited the exmaple of Uttarakhand, a state in India, providing a state pension for acid attack survivors after the release of her film Chhapaak. This direct result demonstrates the potential of cinema to influence policy and improve the lives of marginalized communities.
“After Chaapaak released, Uttarakhand actually provided for a state pension for acid attack survivors. So that was a very visible direct result of the film.”
Chohan also highlighted the overwhelming response to her film Guilty, which sparked a wave of personal stories and reflections on the issue of campus rape. The film provided a platform for survivors and witnesses to share their experiences, underscoring the healing power of art.
“When ‘Guilty’ released—a story about campus rape—the response was unbelievable. If I wasn’t already convinced of my work’s power, that was the moment I realised I am doing God’s work. The number of messages I received was insane—women and men pouring out their stories because they saw themselves reflected in the film. People wrote saying, ‘I have been this woman,’ or ‘I witnessed this happening and couldn’t do anything,’ or ‘This happened to my mother or sister.’”
Even if a movie doesn’t become a blockbuster, Chohan believes the true measurement of success lies in the impact it has on real people’s lives.She views art as a form of therapy and tool for healing.
Responsible Portrayal: minimizing Harm, Maximizing Impact
Chohan addressed the challenges of portraying difficult subjects, particularly violence and trauma, in a responsible and ethical manner.
She emphasized the importance of prioritizing healing over harm, drawing on the example of the film Spotlight, which deals with pedophilia in the catholic Church, portraying the impact of the abuse without graphically depicting the act itself.
“Art should heal, not harm. The film Spotlight which deals with pedophilia in church is a great example – you don’t see the act on screen, you see the impact of it, but you don’t actually show the abuse. Else someone will just take that piece out and put it on YouTube and then watch it thousands of times to get off on that.”
Chohan consciously minimizes the visual representation of trauma in her films, implying violence rather than explicitly showing it. This approach, she believes, allows viewers to confront the long-term consequences of violence without possibly re-traumatizing them.
The Viewer’s Role: Supporting Meaningful Cinema
Chohan challenged viewers to be more mindful of their entertainment choices and to support films that promote positive social change.
She argued that entertainment choices are not tertiary decisions but rather crucial expressions of our values.Supporting misogynistic or harmful content,even through “hate-watching,” can have a detrimental impact on society,particularly in countries where gender inequality persists.
“Choose wisely.At some level, we all need to expand our humanity, and this will reflect in how we receive cinema. Many consider their entertainment choices tertiary decisions, but they’re actually crucial. If you hate-watch ‘Animal’ but pay for a ticket, you fund more ‘Animals.’ in a country struggling with how women are viewed, celebrating misogynistic cinema impacts women’s daily lives.”
Chohan highlighted the importance of seeking out films and shows that offer depth and nuance, even within the mainstream. She cited the Indian series Panchayat as an example of a popular show that tackles complex themes with sensitivity and intelligence.
“There are shows even in the mainstream that have depth and nuance. A series like Panchayat proves depth can be popular. While it is indeed extremely accessible, and it is about a small town, the writing has depth. So there is a way to do it.”
Resources for Aspiring Storytellers
Chohan shared some of her favorite books on storytelling and screenwriting, offering guidance to aspiring writers and filmmakers.
- on Writers and Writing (Previously titled as Negotiating with the Dead) by Margaret Atwood
- Writing the Character-Centered Screenplay by Andrew Horton
A Final challenge
As Chohan concluded her lecture, she left the MBA students with a final, thought-provoking question:
“Will you be the suits, the studio bosses, that green light more Panchayats, or the ones that fund more Animals?”
This challenge encapsulates Chohan’s commitment to using storytelling as a catalyst for social change, urging future business leaders to consider the ethical implications of their decisions and their potential impact on society. It’s a question that resonates far beyond the Bollywood context, applicable to anyone in a position of power within the entertainment industry, including in the U.S.
How does Atika Chohan balance the need to depict sensitive topics in her films with the responsibility of avoiding potential re-traumatization?
Bollywood Scriptwriter Atika Chohan on Storytelling and Social Impact
Archyde News: Welcome, Atika. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. Your recent lecture to MBA students certainly sparked a conversation. Could you tell us, what inspired you to frame your lecture with the question of your own presence, asking why a “feminist writer” was invited?
atika Chohan: Thank you for having me. The goal was to jolt the audience awake a bit, to make them think critically from the start. In mainstream cinema, the narratives, notably in India, often center on men. I wanted to challenge the assumption of a “safe” speaker and instead advocate for stories that provoke thought about women and other marginalized communities.
Archyde News: Your films,such as *Margarita With a Straw* and *Guilty*,delve into sensitive social issues. What key influences shaped your unique storytelling style, allowing persuasive narratives to resonate with audiences?
Atika Chohan: My childhood definitely played a role. Growing up in a challenging habitat forced me to quickly assess situations and connect with others. The experiences fostered my ability to “read the room.” It is a combination of IQ and EQ – you have to elicit a genuine connection, making them listen to your case.
Archyde News: You’ve mentioned your unconventional entry into Bollywood. Can you share that story again, highlighting the audaciousness it took to break into such a competitive industry?
Atika Chohan: It required a bit of luck, a lot of nerve, and the willingness to take a chance! I graduated from film school with practically no money. I somehow managed to convince the receptionist at Yash Raj Studios to let me meet someone from the script department. Surprisingly, I got a call a few weeks later, and it started from there. Sometimes, you have to create your own opportunities.
Archyde News: The impact of your work seems to be tangible! Could you share how your films have led to real-world policy changes and personal transformations?
Atika Chohan: Absolutely. After the film *Chhapaak*, Uttarakhand provided a state pension for acid attack survivors. Moreover, the response to *Guilty* was overwhelming. It provided a platform for so many to share their experiences, creating a sense of community centered on healing. That felt like god’s work, truly.
Archyde News: In portraying sensitive topics, like violence or trauma, how do you balance the need to depict such experiences with the responsibility of avoiding potential re-traumatization?
Atika Chohan: I always aim to prioritize healing over causing harm. Like in the film *Spotlight*, which deals with the abuse in the church, you don’t *show* the act itself. Rather,you show its impact. it allows us to address these issues responsibly,without visually exploiting trauma.
Archyde News: what message would you like to leave with our readers, particularly those aspiring to work in the film industry?
Atika Chohan: Choose wisely. Support cinema that reflects depth and nuance. Will you be like the studio bosses, to facilitate the “Panchayats” or fund the “Animals”? The choice is yours. Also, for any aspiring screenwriters, give yourself a good read of *on Writers and Writing* by margaret atwood and *Writing the Character-Centered Screenplay* by Andrew Horton.
Archyde news: Atika, thank you so much for your time and insights. It’s been incredibly enlightening.
