“For me, Paani Foundation is a reminder that environmental transformation is about change in human behaviour; it is about social unity, collaboration and resilience.”
Our Co-Founder, Kiran Rao (@raodyness ), speaks to Preetha Banerjee (@pre.etha ) about Paani, sustainability, her relationship with the environment, and more in an interview with @dtemagazine .
Read the full interview in Down To Earth magazine, 1–15 January 2026 issue.
A Grand Beginning! 🌾
Paani Foundation’s ‘Farmer Cup 2026’ has officially begun — and for the first time ever, this movement is spreading through the whole of Maharashtra!
Our heartfelt gratitude to all our partners, and every farmer making this ambitious pan-Maharashtra scaleup possible! 🙏
Partners in Possibility:
Dept. of Agriculture @agriculture_gom
MSRLM-UMED @umedabhiyan
NDKSP @pocra_
Anchor Funders:
Bajaj Beyond @bajaj_auto_ltd
Aamir Khan Productions @aamirkhanproductions
Primary Funders:
Rainmatter Foundation @rainmatterorg
ATE Chandra Foundation @atecfnow
BGM Foundation @bgm.foundation
Champions of Change:
Cybage @cybage
Koita Foundation @koitafoundation
D'Decor @ddecordiaries
Gayatri Yadav @gayatri.yadav19
Song : Toofan Toofan
Lyrics : Vaibhav Hiwasa @vaivavu
Music : Rahul Khade and Tejas Kale - Sameehan @sameehanmusicofficial
Today, May 1st — Maharashtra Day and Labour Day — a reminder that the strength of Maharashtra has always come from the hard work and resilience of its people. 🌾
Carrying this spirit forward, Paani Foundation’s ‘Farmer Cup’ is now reaching every corner of the state. What we’re witnessing is more than a competition — it’s a collective movement. With knowledge as their tool, unity as their strength, and determination as their drive, farmers are coming together to shape a prosperous rural Maharashtra.
Heartfelt thanks to @spruhavarad , @bhadipa , @mangaajjii , @maithilyapte , @yashrajmukhate , @atulkulkarni_official , @saietamhankar , @mukta_narvekar , @indianfarmer , @srushtinahitohkaun for amplifying this journey. 💛
“When women come together, magic happens — and the ‘Farmer Cup’ is an effort to make that possible.” — Kiran Rao
With the support of MSRLM–UMED and the Maharashtra Agriculture Department, Paani Foundation is taking the ‘Farmer Cup’ collective farming movement across the state. Women are at the heart of this transformation.
Watch our Founder, Kiran Rao, share an inspiring message on these changemakers 🌱✨
@raodyness : Producers are inherently creative people. Reducing them to just numbers is a real disservice and we’ve misunderstood what producing truly is.
Community Partner: @sohohouse
No formulas, no noise — just solid storytelling.
From Dhobi Ghat to Laapataa Ladies (India’s Oscar entry 2024), @raodyness keeps it real, rooted, and refreshingly different.
At The Business of Film session, she brings her perspective on building stories with intent, navigating the realities of production, and balancing vision with scale.
📍 Soho House | 🗓️ 14th April
Moderated by @sanjay_ram05
RSVP tickets have been emailed to all approved women members of WIF India who signed up for the session. Please check your inbox, spam and other folders.
Community Partner: @sohohouse
Video source: @suchin545 , The Streaming Show
This #WorldWaterDay, celebrating the villagers and farmers across Maharashtra who worked together to conserve 550 billion litres of water... who are transforming agriculture in Maharashtra and showing what true community-led movements can do.
#PaaniFoundation #WaterCup #FarmerCup
Kiran Rao’s (@raodyness ) importance in Indian cinema may not be linked to superstar wattage alone, but her name continues to be a mainstay on lists of the best Indian films of the year. As producer and executive producer, she remains one of the last remaining champions for people who still dream the indie film dream, consistently delivering both critical acclaim and meaningful commercial success.
She features on The Hollywood Reporter India’s #WomenInEntertainment Power List, 2026, in partnership with De Beers Group India (@heerahaisadakeliye ). Read the full list at the link in bio.
Hydration partner: Vedica Himalayan Spring Water (@vedicaspring )
Celebration partner: Roku Gin (@suntory_rokugin )
Hospitality partner: Fairmont Mumbai (@fairmontmumbai )
Media partner: iDiva (@idivaofficial )
#THRIndia #TheHollywoodReporterIndia
2 years of lost brides and found identities. 💛
What began as a mix-up on a train became a journey of courage, choice, and self-discovery.
#2YearsOfLaapataaLadies
Video Courtesy: @thelallantop
(Laapataa Ladies, Kiran Rao, 2 Years Of Laapataa Ladies, AKP Film, Aamir Khan Productions. Bollywood Gem, Modern Classic, Fan Favourite, Wholesome Cinema, Strong Female Characters, Women Empowerment)
When Kiran Rao speaks, storytellers lean in. 🎬
From bold filmmaking instincts to category creation in the AVGC-XR space, she breaks down why platforms like AniMela are shaping the next era of entertainment.
Sharp thoughts, future-facing ideas, and creative clarity that lingers long after the lights go off. Tune in now! 🎙️
AniMela is happening from 19th-22nd Feb 2026 at Whistling Woods International, Mumbai.
To book your tickets, follow the link in bio.
