SWA Connect heads to Chandigarh

Following the success of its inaugural edition in Delhi last year, the Screenwriters Association (SWA) has announced that SWA Connect – Chandigarh Chapter will be held on November 17 at Punjab Kala Bhawan.The day-long convention will bring together screenwriters, lyricists and members of the creative community from across the region for a series of craft workshops, discussions on writers’ rights and professional networking opportunities.The Chandigarh edition will feature a distinguished lineup of writers, directors and industry leaders from Indian cinema, headlined by Jagdeep Sidhu, the writer-director behind Punjabi hits such as Qismat and the blockbuster Jatt & Juliet 3.Joining him are Charudutt Acharya, SWA President and writer of Aranyak and Duranga; Satyanshu Singh, SWA Executive Committee Member and Events Chairperson, known for directing Chintu Ka Birthday and the Netflix series Black Warrant; Preeti Mamgain, SWA Executive Committee Member and writer associated with shows such as Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin and Mere Dad Ki Dulhan; and Vibha Singh, SWA Executive Committee Member and writer of Mardaani, Kismat Konnection and Heeramandi.Ginny Diwan, Executive Committee Member, SWA and screenwriter who is known for OMG 2, Mirzapur and Mirzapur: The Movie will also be joining them.Speaking about the initiative’s expanding reach, SWA General Secretary Raj Shekhar said that SWA Connect aims to engage writing communities beyond Mumbai and create opportunities for writers and lyricists to meet, interact and exchange ideas.“After a successful Delhi chapter, we are now bringing SWA Connect to Chandigarh. The aim is to meet local writers, discuss the craft of writing and writers’ rights, share experiences, bust myths and demystify how the industry works.“We also want to bring established, actively working professionals from the industry together with emerging writers, so they can share their experiences, inspire them and help answer their questions. Our larger purpose is to build a stronger, more informed and connected writing community across the country, where knowledge is shared, new voices are encouraged and writers feel empowered to understand their rights, their craft and the industry they are part of,” Shekhar added.The event’s programme will include a dedicated screenwriting workshop and in-depth panel discussions examining the screenwriting and lyric-writing landscape in Punjab. A key focus will be writers’ rights, with sessions addressing the legal, contractual and professional frameworks essential to protecting and empowering creators in an evolving entertainment industry.Through the Chandigarh chapter, SWA aims to strengthen connections between established industry professionals and emerging talent, while fostering a more informed, collaborative and accessible ecosystem for writers and lyricists across the country.Get the latest Bollywood & Entertainment News, and more. Download the TOI app.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!