WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY?

Directors:

Writers:

Rafina Khatun

Producers:

Rough Edges

Run Time:

0:39:56

Awarded for the following Category(s):

Awarded Category(s)

In Ahmedabad, India - a city scarred by the 2002 riots - Gulnaz breaks barriers as a community radio jockey. Gulnaz is the first female breadwinner in her family and the first woman in her area to work outside the home. Despite having no formal education in media, she became a voice for many. Through her show Shahernama, she challenges patriarchy, amplifies the voices of the marginalized and fosters interfaith understanding in an increasingly divided society. Amidst her fight for social change, Gulnaz also grapples with her own struggle for freedom and autonomy. This is the story of a young Muslim woman daring to dream differently in a patriarchal society determined to silence her.

Submitter Statement

As a Muslim girl myself, Gulnaz's story resonates deeply with my own experiences of societal pressure and cultural expectations. Through her journey, I find solace and inspiration in her relentless pursuit of breaking free from the constraints imposed by society. Gulnaz's unwavering determination to challenge the boundaries around her serves as a constant source of encouragement for me. Not only does she use her voice to bring about change within the confines of her studio, but she actively engages in finding solutions to the challenges she faces while recording her show. Her resilience and optimism, often accompanied by her infectious smile, offer hope even in the most difficult of circumstances. In our discussions, I can sense Gulnaz's fervent desire to enact change in our society. Yet, there are moments when she reflects on her own inability to transform her immediate surroundings. It is these moments of vulnerability that remind me of the complexities and struggles inherent in our shared journey. Through highlighting voices like Gulnaz's, I aim to underscore their invaluable contributions to our society, particularly in a time marked by division and religious strife. By amplifying these narratives, I hope to shed light on the profound impact individuals like Gulnaz have in challenging societal norms and fostering unity amidst adversity.

Rafina Khatun is a filmmaker and editor from Kolkata, India, who uses cinema to amplify the voices of women and marginalized communities. With a background in Journalism and Mass Communication from Calcutta University, she has collaborated with renowned filmmakers and editors such as Debalina, Susmita Sinha, Sankhajit Biswas, Farha Khatun, and Baudhyan Mukherji, working across both fiction and documentary projects. Her documentary directorial journey began with Made in Belda (2021), a deeply personal documentary exploring unfulfilled dreams within her own family. Her recent work Log Kya Kahenge? (2025) follows Gulnaaz, a 24-year-old radio jockey challenging patriarchy through her show Shahernama in Ahmedabad. Rafina's fiction films Paan (2024) and Beyond the Boundaries (2017) further showcase her distinctive voice as both director and editor. Her storytelling consistently remains intimate, grounded in lived experiences, and rooted in social realities. As an editor, Rafina has worked on several films, including Chimri Bhar Ashmaan (2022), In the Quiet of the Night (2024), Wo Ikk Rihayee (2024), Sounds of Precious Cave (2025), and Friends of Jilipibala (2025). Beyond filmmaking, she has collaborated with organizations such as Drishti in Ahmedabad, Udaan, and Point of View in Mumbai, contributing to both film production and community-based training programs. Rafina is currently specializing in editing at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata.

Key Cast

Gulnaz Ansari

Other Credits

Cinematography: Priyanka Biswas

Location Sound Recordist: Susmita Sinha

Editor: Rafina Khatun

Sound Designer and Mixer: Sabyasachi Pal, Soumya Chatterjee