In this special Industry Spotlight, a WAVES Film Bazaar 2025 feature, producer Tanaji Dasgupta joined Lohita Sujith, Sr. Director, Copyright & Digital Economy, Motion Picture Association, to reflect on the creative and collaborative forces shaping his work. Tanaji emphasized that for producers, creativity and logistics are inseparable, strong ideas only succeed when balanced against the realities of execution and budget.

Speaking about Laapataa Ladies, he credited its success to a heartfelt blend of optimism, humor, and relatability. Audiences across backgrounds found joy and emotional connection in its characters, which he believes is the film’s true strength.

Tanaji described WAVES Film Bazaar as a pivotal platform in his early career, offering co-production opportunities, workshops, and the Europe–India Prime Exchange that connected him with mentors and collaborators who continue to shape contemporary cinema. Returning nearly a decade later, he found WAVES revitalized full of new avenues for both emerging and established creators.

He stressed the importance of support for finished films, noting that independent cinema often struggles more with distribution than production. Waves initiatives like the Work-in-Progress Lab and Viewing Room provide crucial access to festival programmers, distributors, and sales agents, resources that help smaller films find visibility and momentum.

Looking ahead, Tanaji is presenting Shadow Hill of Spirits and Men, directed by Bosco Bhandarkar and produced by Kindling Pictures. Set in a Goan village and told primarily in Konkani, the film’s international resonance makes Waves a key launchpad for its next phase of development and partnerships.