Alag Hain Kam Nahi S1 (#DifferentNotLess)
It was mid-2022. Aditi and Aalap had just discovered their neurodivergent identities, and were speaking to other neurodivergent individuals and their caregivers to better understand ways to take up space. A team member suggested turning the entire journey into a series so that it could help other late-discovered neurodivergents on their paths to self-acceptance and love. And that's how 'Alag Hain Kam Nahi' was born, an ode to the international #DifferentNotLess disability movement. Shot May through August, 2022, the series spotlights the richly varied lives of six neurodivergent and disabled individuals, and invites viewers on a journey illuminating the vibrant experiences of its protagonists, effectively challenging societal perspectives on neurodivergence and disability.
Episode 2 - Risshan Patil
Ashiish Patil, renowned media professional and Risshan's dad, was connected to Aalap through their MTV days. And so they were the first parents that Aditi and Aalap spoke to about their late discovery. Ashiish and Shital graciously invited them over for lunch one day, and that's how the second episode of Alag Hain Kam Nahi happened. Aditi and Aalap spent an entire day at the Patil's, speaking to them about discovering their son's neurodivergence, and enjoying Risshan's company, as he enthusiastically sang and danced all day long.
Episode 3 - Nehal Tiwari
On a rainy June morning the team set off to meet Nehal, and were greeted warmly by the Tiwari family. Nehal, an astounding stone painting artist, showed us her creations, and was kind enough to make us one on the spot, showing us her process. The central themes explored in the episode are hyperfocus and autistic special interests.
Episode 4 - Vir Kapoor
Yet another powerful voice in the community is Gopika Kapoor, special educator and mother to then 17-year-old autistic Vir Kapoor. After a brief meeting on Zoom, the team landed up at the Kapoor residence to chronicle Vir's journey, his special interests and hobbies. The narrative chronicles Vir's many interests including puzzles, Meccano, singing, cycling and baking, and his relationship with his twin sister Gayatri. This episode has lots of fun moments, like when Vir beats us at a game of Ludo, and Jazz, their little pup, starts chewing on our camera tripod mid shot!
Episode 5 - Savitri Gupta
Aalap And Aditi met Savitri Gupta at a film screening in SNDT, Juhu, and exchanged numbers with her. When Savitri said she was the first female student at IIT Bombay to pursue a doctorate, the team knew we had to have one episode on her life. On a summery July morning we drove to IIT Powai, and sat in her tiny hostel room speaking to her about her life, and her challenges as a blind person working for disability and women's rights. Savitri speaks about false disability perceptions in society, mythbusting, accessibility, and lots of other important topics in this highly educational episode.
Episode 6 - Aarti Nagarkar
Interestingly, it was at the same film festival where Aditi and Aalap met Savitri that they met Aarti Nagarkar and her mother Sushama Nagarkar. The team already knew about their work at Yash Charitable Trust and running Cafe Arpan, a space that employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. And instinctively we all knew we wouldn't find a better closure to season 1. One fine afternoon we went over to the Nagarkar's, where Aarti and her colleague-friend Anand played us some tunes on the harmonium, and we would up speaking all things agency, advocacy and employment. As the episode concludes, Aarti shares her passions, including her love for egrets and her favourite food, emphasizing the significance of inclusive employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.