Mumbai, 15th March 2024: The Psychology Department of NMIMS, Sunandan Divatia School of Science (SDSOS), Mumbai, hosted the 4th Edition of the annual Psychology Film Festival from March 7- March 9, 2024, The Festival was an immersive exploration into the human psyche through student-crafted films and an exciting fusion of psychology and cinema, as each celluloid frame unfolded myriad tales of insight and inspiration.

The three-day festival was replete with interesting movie screenings, engaging stalls and interactive events. March 8 was especially special as alongside riveting film showcases, it also featured enthralling psychological films, student performances, a sensational nukkad natak and a heartfelt tribute to women as a part of celebration for Women’s Day.

The main event titled the ‘Psych Premier’ was held on March 8, 2024, in the presence of popular comedian Bharti Singh, who was the Chief Guest of the evening. Eminent media professionals like Saagar More, Television Director of reality shows ‘Roadies’, ‘Lock Up’, ‘Moving In with Malika’; Arun Sharma, winner of ‘Roadies’ and Shweta Mehta, winner of ‘Roadies’, graced the occasion. Special guests including two police constables, four post-women, Mrs. Meena Nair (CEO of a publishing house), a pilot from Air India, amongst others, were honoured and felicitated on the occasion of Women’s Day.

The gregarious Bharti Singh, who was the Chief Guest, injected a fun element to the event with her sparkling wit and affable attitude. When asked to share a message for the women on the occasion of Women’s Day, Bharti said, “I don’t need to give any special message to women. Women have become very sensible and smart. On Women’s Day, women should give others a message that next year, there should be improvement for their families, the people around them or their office. I truly believe women can improve the world and thanks to her, major improvements can be made.”

Bharti also thanked the college and averred, “Thank you for calling me to your college. It’s a huge honour. The students here have shot films and showcased them. For me, it’s a learning experience.”

Dr. Ruttujja Karkhanis More, Head of Department, Psychology, Sunandan Divatia School of Science, NMIMS University Mumbai, averred, “Crafted with love and perseverance by our under-graduate and post-graduate psychology students, this dear-to-our heart annual event ‘Psych Film Fest’ or the Psychology Film Festival, focused on shedding light on various concepts of psychology through media. The aim was to spread awareness about mental health as a whole.”

The screening of the movies took place over three days, from March 7- March 9, 2024. Each day, a plethora of topics under the general themes of psychological disorders, social experiments and psychological concepts underlying relationships, were covered. On an average, 15 to 20 films with a duration ranging from 10-20 minutes were screened.

Important issues including consent and acceptance were highlighted though an entertaining nukkad natak performed by the students, which enlightened the audience about different psychological disorders through skits as a part of ‘continuous medical education.  Gracing the occasion was Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr. Meena Chintamaneni, who has been a constant support to the department along with Dr. Jayant Gandhi, the Mentor for Sunandan Divatia School of Science and the Dean of the School, Dr. Jayakumar Bondili and Head of Department Dr. Ruttuja Karkhanis More.

To add more glitter to the already dazzling fest, there were a variety of stalls and engaging activities curated around psychology. The stalls had different games based on media and social psychology to create awareness about mental health. There were stalls for movie buffs that challenged them about their knowledge of movies, along with stalls set up by small business.

The ‘Psych Film Fest’ was entertaining, enthralling and immersive – it was where psychology transcended boundaries through the captivating medium of films and entertainment. Indeed, it was an unforgettable experience that celebrated the depth and diversity of the human mind!