Vaidehi showed interest in the C20 Initiative, sharing photographs of a college visit to the Havelis in Dharmaj, which are abandoned or at the brink of demolition. For her task, she proposed a sketching exercise wherein students would be taken on a sketching spree to different CCA projects in Ahmedabad.

All photos in this carousel were clicked by Vaidehi.

Vaishnavi showed interest in the C20 Initiative, and shared photographs and information about the Khursheed mansion, a beautiful 90-year old Art Deco house in Hyderabad. She also mentioned that the family that owns it showed interest in conservation and restoration of the house after realising its heritage value.

All photos in this carousel were clicked by Vaishnavi.

Nishtha organized a Nagari Film Screening attended by second- and third-year students, featuring films such as A Work in Progress, Level Up!, Udta Banaras, Homes on the Line, and Sundari. The screening served as a platform for critical engagement, with in-depth discussions emerging around key themes from select films.

Discussions on ‘A Work in Progress’ focused on the impact of construction and demolition waste on communities, particularly in the context of rapid urban development. Students connected this to their own ongoing design project for a nearby village, where they are exploring sustainable materials like bamboo, rammed earth, and mud bricks, along with the reuse of C&D waste. ‘Udta Banaras’ prompted conversations about displacement and rehabilitation, drawing parallels with similar situations such as the Sabarmati Riverfront development in Ahmedabad and its impact on local communities. Meanwhile, ‘Sundari’ led to reflections on how urban development affects heritage, landscapes, and the livelihoods of local populations.

The screening encouraged students to look beyond conventional architectural concerns of drawings and materials, and instead reflect on the human and environmental consequences of development. It prompted them to question prevailing notions of progress, while reinforcing the importance of ethical responsibility, material choices, and their role as architects in mediating between development, environment, and community.

She also proposed a task of reimagining Charles Correa’s unbuilt works as if they were realized today, retaining their core ideals while engaging contemporary technologies, materials, and environmental strategies. Alongside this, a writing competition with supporting graphics asks whether society still needs 20th-century buildings and challenges participants to communicate their proposals without using adjectives, instead relying on design principles, spatial logic, and user experience to present the building as an abstraction rather than a description.

All photos in this carousel were clicked by Nishtha.

Anshika reflected that the most meaningful aspect of her experience was the sense of responsibility and learning that came from working with a larger group, ensuring that each activity she organised was purposeful and impactful. This made her realise that the values she upheld as an ambassador should extend into her personal life as well. 

Her task was based on the theme ‘Environment Around Us’. In this activity, students were encouraged to explore different spots across the college campus, closely observing and sketching how natural elements such as sunlight and wind interact with the built environment. The exercise aimed not only at observation but also at analysis to help understand how these environmental factors influence comfort, spatial experience, and the overall functioning of a space. Based on their findings, students were asked to propose ways to redesign or improve these spaces, drawing from the architectural principles of Charles Correa, particularly his emphasis on climate-responsive design, sensitivity to context, and a harmonious relationship between built form and nature.

All photos in this carousel were clicked by Anshika.

Malik conducted a Nagari Short Film screening at his institution, with additional participation facilitated through Google Meet to include students who were unable to attend in person. The session encouraged meaningful engagement, particularly through discussions on A Work in Progress and Sundari.

A ‘Work in Progress‘ prompted students to reflect on construction practices, waste generation, and the responsibility of architects in making informed material choices, with many relating these ideas to their coursework on materials and sustainability. ‘Sundari‘ led to conversations about the impact of urban development on ecosystems and livelihoods, pushing students to critically examine who cities are designed for and how existing communities and landscapes are often overlooked.

The screening also sparked several critical questions among students, including how architects can reduce construction waste while working within budget and client demands; whether development can be considered successful if it displaces communities or damages ecosystems; how traditional knowledge and existing landscapes can be integrated into modern design; who truly benefits from large infrastructure projects and who remains unheard; and how architectural education can better prepare students to address social and environmental challenges.

Overall, the session was well-received and encouraged students to move beyond technical design thinking to engage with real-world issues, reinforcing the role of architects as responsible agents in shaping more sustainable and equitable built environments.

All photos in this carousel were clicked by Malik.

Safna screened the Nagari films in collaboration with our college’s film and drama club. The screening featured Level Up! and Iss Shahar Mein Chalte Hue. ‘Level Up!’ brought attention to accessibility by showing how everyday actions, like boarding a bus, become major challenges when infrastructure excludes certain bodies, making the issue feel immediate and real. ‘Iss Shahar Mein Chalte Hue’ shifted focus to the experience of walking in the city, following goods sellers in suburban Mumbai and revealing how, for many, walking is not a choice but a necessity. Through their journeys across broken footpaths and construction-filled streets, the film raised questions about who cities are designed for, and how the realities of low-income workers often remain overlooked.

All photos in this carousel are clicked by Safna.

The screening of the Nagari films Sundari, Pipe Dream, and Game of Homes was conducted successfully by Krishna, and received an enthusiastic response from students. The films pushed for meaningful discussions around urban challenges, housing, and social realities, making the session both engaging and thought-provoking.

During the interaction, students raised questions, reflecting their growing awareness and curiosity. First-year students questioned why basic needs such as housing and water remain pressing issues in rapidly developing cities, and what role they, as future architects, can realistically play in addressing these challenges. Third-year students further reflected on the role of planners and architects, questioning how decisions that shape everyday life are made and whether the voices of common people are adequately represented in these processes.

All photos in this carousel are clicked by Krishna.

Shreya participated in the C20 Initiative by sharing images and information of Koramangala House, one of Charles Correa’s projects in Bangalore.

She curated a Nagari film screening, which was hosted in collaboration with “The Journey Shared,” her college’s movie club. Sundari prompted discussions on Mumbai’s depleting mangroves, the disappearance of fish species once common in local markets, and the impact on fishermen’s livelihoods, while also raising concerns about how large infrastructural projects often benefit those already privileged. Fish and the Friend presented a more optimistic outlook, focusing on initiatives that educate school students about sustainability and responsibility, while also prompting questions about how such efforts might translate to rapidly urbanising contexts. A Work in Progress led to conversations around accountability in recycling construction waste and the systems that shape the industry.

The screening photos in this carousel are clicked by Shreya.

Rishika organised a Nagari film screening after the Monday Assembly at her college. The Monday assembly is one of the few moments when the entire school comes together: students, faculty, and non-teaching staff. It is usually an open space for conversations about what’s happening around them, where different viewpoints come in naturally. She felt that this was the right setting for a collective film screening and followed it with a discussion.

Through the Dappled Light became a key point, especially for fifth-year students who had recently visited Chandigarh. While the city is often seen as clean and well-planned, students noted how its streets feel controlled and lacking everyday life, missing informal activity and a sense of lived presence. The conversation expanded with Avnati, Navadi (Boat Rider), and Taal Betal, raising questions about who shapes the city and how certain livelihoods, especially those tied to water, are overlooked in formal planning. Students also reflected on representation, observing that films made by non-professionals felt more immediate and grounded, bringing forward voices often missing in dominant narratives.

All photos in this carousel are clicked by Rishika.

Krisha organised a series of Nagari film screenings that became a platform for critical reflection and dialogue within her institution. What set her initiative apart was the depth and nuance of the conversations it generated — her reflections were detailed and personal, elevating each screening into a meaningful learning experience. The films were curated for different batches. For first-year students, she screened Iss Shahar Mein Chalte Hue, Through the Dappled Light, and A Work in Progress. For third-year students, the selection included Level Up!, Samayada Harivu, and Udta Banaras.

Each screening was followed by in-depth discussions, where students engaged with the films through thoughtful observations and critical insights. Krisha’s ability to draw out layered, personal responses from her audience made these sessions particularly impactful, distinguishing her screenings as some of the most engaging in the program. An equally important part of this initiative was the collaborative process behind it. Krisha brought together a small team of five volunteers from the fourth-year batch, all of whom shared an interest in film and screenwriting and had already watched most of the Nagari films. While the group was initially formed to help shortlist screenings, it evolved into an active discussion circle that continues to revisit and reflect on the films even beyond the sessions.

‘Iss Shahar Mein Chalte Hue’ sparked a conversation about perspective; how the same day, same roads or even the same activities have a completely different significance in everyone’s lives. Some students also volunteered their personal observations throughout their day that showed varying perspectives. Another point observed was that the film focussed a lot on the scale of life and how when observing from a distance, it was easier to forget or neglect the numerous individual experiences being lived simultaneously. They were also asked how they could use their observations from the film to improve their design thinking and the most agreed upon response was proper identification and consideration of every single user group.

Before ‘Through the Dappled Light’ started, students were asked what according to them was something that attracted people to use a particular space. The answers varied from aesthetics, comfort, openness, ornamentation, etc. After watching the film, the question was asked again and the first years didn’t have an answer to best describe their thoughts. When one of our volunteers pointed out that it was human emotion that connected people to a space, it led to a small debate about emotion versus necessity and survival. It was interesting to see someone connect to a different part of the film than we initially did.

Apart from the observations about ‘A Work in Progress’, it led to a discussion about privilege and how that makes one inconsiderate of what is happening around them. It brought up the trend of overconsumption and the increasing demand without need which is leading to incredible amounts of waste, be it in the construction industry or otherwise. In the end, they were left with the thought of how they, as future architects, can contribute to solving this issue.

After watching ‘Level Up!’, everyone agreed that even though this is a topic that may be brought up each semester for every design problem, it is usually an afterthought when it comes to the actual design. Apart from a couple students who had differently-abled people dear to them, students admitted that this was the first time they had actually felt their needs instead of just talking about them. Our volunteers prompted them to think about their grandparents and if the film would resonate with them as well. Everyone agreed that accessible design should be a priority and not a later addition.

‘Samayada Harivu’ was interesting to watch because under the larger umbrella of urbanisation, it covered multiple smaller issues faced by people. It was the most well received film in her college. There were a few comments on the title of the film — “Flow of Time” — a particularly apt one, since neither flow nor time can be monitored, and their outcomes cannot be predicted. When asked what issues caught their attention, some students spoke about how our traditional lifestyle is vanishing due to rapid urbanisation, while others spoke about loss of employment, black water and increasing pollution, and depleting water levels. There was a debate about the pros and cons of urbanisation that followed, and the need for conservation was discussed. It was pointed out how the film addressed that people who already were using those areas would now need permission to access the same spaces and how maybe we as designers could incorporate something for them in our design since the need to use those areas is inevitable with our growing need.

‘Udta Banaras’ addressed loss of identity, be it our cities or the people who live in them. In chasing development and growth, we are losing our roots. It sparked a conversation about what is considered heritage; is it just our coined heritage sites or also the streets that are walked everyday? There was a discussion about how development is necessary to attract tourists and boost a city’s economy but at what cost? The film left everyone with a lot of questions to ponder upon.

All photos in this carousel are clicked by Krisha.

Pratha Chauhan organised a Nagari films screening for first- and fourth-year students, followed by a discussion. The films Udta Banaras, A Work in Progress, and Iss Shahar Mein Chalte Hue sparked distinct responses—’A Work in Progress’ drew attention for its unconventional storytelling through doodles, while ‘Udta Banaras’ shifted the idea of development away from construction toward empathy at the urban scale. ‘Iss Shahar Mein Chalte Hue’ stood out as the most impactful, leading students to rethink overlooked and vacant spaces on campus and in cities, and how these could be reimagined to respond to everyday public needs.

All photos in this carousel are clicked by Pratha.

Chrisele was an active participant in all the sessions, sharing the respect her college has for Charles Correa’s work, ethos, and design philosophy — for example, the 3rd semester housing studios use 7 of his principles to guide their designs.

She also facilitated a film screening in collaboration with her college’s movie club for the second and third year students. The event comprised Nagari films such as Sundari, Level Up!, A Work in Progress, and Udta Banaras. The screening initiated critical discussions on the awareness and infrastructure of universal design. In addition to this, she also proposes a book review of the written works of Charles Correa as part of her task.

All photos in this carousel are clicked by Chrisele.

Saumitra curated a selection of Nagari films that established a deeply reflective tone for the programme, with a particular focus on rivers, wetlands, informal urban life, and the complex relationships between people and their cities. His curation highlighted films addressing pressing urban issues in Goa, shedding light on how rapid development, changing land use, and environmental degradation impact communities and their everyday experiences.

After a brief open discussion, a structured debate centred on two key questions: whether the greater loss for a city is the water of its rivers or the memories tied to them, and whether the real tragedy of St. Inez Creek is its pollution or society’s indifference. Students offered contrasting perspectives; some emphasised water as essential for survival and future continuity, while others highlighted memories as shaping a place’s identity and sense of belonging. The discussion acknowledged that water and memory are deeply interconnected, with ecological and cultural losses often occurring together. On St. Inez Creek, participants noted that while pollution is visible, indifference allows it to persist, underscoring the need for sustained societal responsibility.

Overall, the debate encouraged students to question assumptions and reflect on how cities are shaped not only by infrastructure and resources, but also by memory, awareness, and everyday choices, reinforcing the importance of critical engagement for future architects, planners, and citizens.

All photos in this carousel are clicked by Saumitra.

Samriddhi screened three Nagari films — Level Up!, Udta Banaras, and Sparrow — at her campus, and the screening was followed by a thoughtful and energetic discussion with students from different batches.

‘Level Up!’ made a strong impact on the students. Many expressed that it genuinely opened their eyes to understanding the everyday challenges faced by people with disabilities. The discussion revolved around the importance of universal accessibility and how inclusive design is not an optional feature but a fundamental responsibility for architects.

Students connected deeply with ‘Udta Banaras’ themes of heritage and identity. They appreciated the cinematography and the layered storytelling. A key part of the conversation focused on how redevelopment doesn’t just alter physical buildings, it affects homes, communities, memories, and local economies, often in irreversible ways.

‘Sparrow’ led to a meaningful conversation on waste and its urban implications. Students discussed how waste is not just an environmental issue but a socio-spatial one, especially for low-income communities living on the urban peripheries near dump yards. The film helped them reflect on how mismanaged systems shape lived realities and inequalities in cities.

All photos in this carousel are clicked by Samriddhi.

Shreya hosted screenings of Nagari films, including Level Up!, A Work in Progress, and Sparrow, each followed by a discussion. ‘A Work in Progress’ highlighted a critical urban issue, prompting students to reflect on the choice of building materials, design strategies, and civic responsibility. ‘Level Up!’ raised questions on accessibility and the role of designers in creating inclusive environments, while ‘Sparrow’ brought attention to real-world urban challenges, particularly waste management, and the need for societal awareness and action. The films were well-received and thus encouraged reflections within students before their senior design years. 

She also showed interest in visiting the Charles Correa Associates (CCA) structures in Hyderabad with the students of all years to gain a better understanding of his design philosophy.

All photos in this carousel are clicked by Shreya.

Utkarsh first organised a Nagari film screening and discussion session, where five films were screened, followed by brief discussions on the key themes presented in each film. Level Up! initiated a discussion on the lack of universal accessibility in our cities, especially for persons with disabilities, and how urban design often overlooks inclusivity. Udta Banaras sparked conversations around heritage conservation, focusing on what should be preserved, what should not, and how we define heritage in a changing urban context. A Work in Progress led to a discussion on cost-effective construction and the reuse of waste materials, exploring how discarded resources can be repurposed to support cleaner cities and improve the lives of economically weaker sections. Iss Shehar Mai Chalte Hue opened discussions on urban inequality and how different groups experience public spaces differently. Samayada Harivu led to discussions on sustainable development and the importance of growing in harmony with nature.

For his task, he proposed a game related to the C20 Initiative on his campus, which has many modern heritage buildings. Utkarsh planned to put up photographs of these buildings in corridors and public areas that students walk past through the day. They would be asked to stick a dot on the photograph; red would indicate that the building is not important and should be replaced, and green that the building is relevant and important. This exercise, when carried out, could build awareness on the modern heritage in his campus.

All photos in this carousel are clicked by Utkarsh.

Archita was a very active Student Ambassador from the 2025-26 cohort. She began by responding to the C20 Initiative by sharing images from a college visit to the Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), designed by Charles Correa in Pune in 1992 and a beautiful example of modern heritage.

She then carried out a Nagari film screening, tailoring the curation to different academic levels. The first year students responded enthusiastically to Iss Shehar Mai Chalte Hue, and discussed the importance of pathways and their experiences from their cities. The second-year students had recently visited Chandigarh for their study tour, and she screened Through The Dappled Light for them. They talked about how the city they saw and the city shown in the movie were the same, but seeing different perspectives of it. They even discussed how easy it may look to draw and draft pipelines, but the reality is not after watching Pipe Dream.

Her batch watched A Work in Progress and discussed how sustainable and safe it could be for reusing discarded building materials, and Sundari, as they questioned whether new infrastructure should be achieved at the expense of ecological heritage and the social fabric of the original inhabitants. 

Further, as a part of the ‘Heritage Yatra 2026’ — a 4-day event hosted at her college in collaboration with the PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation) — she was able to screen the Nagari films again for over 250 people and school children from around Pune, which was very well received. Pakdam Pakdai and Chains and Wheels stood out as audience favourites. She also organised small activities for the school students to engage them with these films. 

All photos in this carousel are clicked by Archita.

Aditi organised a heritage walk as part of the C20 initiative in her city, Rajkot, focusing on the old town in collaboration with the local INTACH chapter, which enabled participants to gain deeper insights into the city’s heritage, architecture, culture, and historical elements.

In addition, she aims to revive her college’s film club by regularly screening Nagari films and films by Charles Correa. She also plans to organise a daytime event featuring hands-on activities or quizzes that can actively engage both architecture and interior design students, as well as faculty members on campus.

All photos in this carousel are clicked by Aditi.

Kartik took the initiative to integrate the resources provided to him within the various pre-existing clubs within his institution. 

The Nagari Film Screening & Urban Sustainability Dialogue was organised as an experiential academic initiative that used short documentary films to explore themes of urban public spaces, waste management, and water systems. The event aimed to encourage students to critically reflect on how everyday urban decisions shape sustainability, equity, and quality of life, while also introducing films as a tool to understand complex urban issues. It sought to bridge the gap between theoretical planning concepts and lived experiences, promote dialogue on development versus sustainability, and cultivate environmentally and socially responsible design thinking.

The program featured screenings of Through the Dappled Light, focusing on public realms and microclimates; A Work in Progress, addressing construction waste and material reuse; and All Day and All of the Night, highlighting water contamination and access to clean water. The event began with an introduction to the Charles Correa Foundation and the Nagari Film Competition, followed by the screenings. Students then engaged in a guided discussion and team-based debate on whether ecological and human sustainability are being compromised for urban development, and concluded the exercise by submitting individual reflections through a structured survey, making critical reflection the central component of the initiative.

All photos in this carousel are clicked by Kartik.