Speaker Spotlight

Trupti Bhoir is proving that storytelling can be the most powerful weapon against injustice. As an Oscar-listed producer, acclaimed actress, and tireless cultural advocate, she has transformed from a Bollywood insider into a revolutionary force using cinema and grassroots activism to dismantle systems of oppression and empower India’s most marginalized communities.

Born in Maharashtra’s Mumbai, the heart of Bollywood, Trupti initially gained recognition through her bold work in Marathi cinema, starring in the groundbreaking “Agadbam” and producing the internationally recognized “Touring Talkies,” which earned an Oscar shortlist. But her recent film “PARO” represents something far more significant than career achievement. After receiving a standing ovation at Cannes Marche Du Film and earning her the Best Actress award in Japan, “PARO” has become a global symbol of cinema’s power to create social change through emotionally charged storytelling.

Yet Trupti’s most transformative work happens far from red carpets. Through her Shelter Foundation, she has created a revolution of empowerment that reaches India’s most vulnerable populations. She has established livelihood opportunities for tribal women from the TARPA Tribes, helping them create designer garments from recycled materials that transform waste into economic independence. She has fought against bride slavery, successfully advocating for the marital rights of women trapped in exploitative traditions. Most importantly, she founded and operates a school for tribal children, providing access to education that offers dignity, inclusion, and hope for the future.

Trupti’s dual approach of cultural storytelling and direct action has made her a globally respected voice. She has been invited to speak at prestigious forums including the Cannes Film Festival, Oxford University, Harvard University, and UN Women, where she champions the intersection of art and activism. Her expertise is so valued that she was recently invited as a consultant by the National Commission for Women and is currently contributing to the national consultation on “Rights of Muslim Women in India.”

As a member of the Central Board of Film Certification, the Marathi Film Grant Recommendation Committee, and a jury member for the National Film Awards, Trupti continues to shape India’s cultural landscape from within the system while simultaneously challenging it from the outside. Her work proves that true change happens when we refuse to choose between artistic excellence and social justice—instead, we can use one to amplify the other.