About Olakh
Identity.
Recognition.
Knowing oneself.
ओळख — Identity. Recognition. Knowing oneself and being recognised by others.
Why cinema?
Cinema shapes how we see the world.
Cinema does not simply tell us stories. It shapes how we see ourselves, how we see others, and who we believe belongs in the world.
At Olakh, we see cinema as a space for questioning, conversation, learning and collective imagination.
Our vision
A Maharashtra where communities have space, agency and collective power.
A Maharashtra where marginalised communities have the space, agency and collective power to engage with, critique and create cinema.
Our mission
To build community spaces where cinema becomes a tool for critical dialogue, feminist and anti-caste learning, cultural participation and collective expression.
Founder
The person behind Olakh.
I believe that when women at the margins are given a platform to speak their lived truths, their voices do more than tell stories—they have the power to transform society.
Samruddhi Sawant is currently pursuing her PhD in Mumbai. Her research focuses on Scheduled Caste women and their spectatorship and engagement with Indian cinema. Beyond academia, she is also a poet and performer, based in Mumbai.
Founder
Samruddhi Sawant
The Olakh Collective
theolakhcollective@gmail.com
Who is Olakh for?
A space for many voices.
You don't need to be a filmmaker, academic or film expert to join Olakh.
You only need curiosity, willingness to listen and a desire to engage.