Aruna Vasudev, the esteemed founder of Cinemaya and the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC), passed away on Thursday in New Delhi, India, due to multiple age-related health issues. She was 88 years old.
As a pivotal advocate for Asian cinema on the international stage, Vasudev launched Cinemaya in 1988, marking the creation of the first pan-Asian film quarterly, which continued for 20 years. This publication served as a crucial platform for information about Asian films and filmmakers.
Vasudev also founded NETPAC in 1991, a dedicated organization aimed at promoting Asian cinema. Through NETPAC, she introduced awards for Asian films at global festivals and organized the Cinefan festival in New Delhi.
Her contributions extended to serving on juries for prominent film festivals such as Cannes, Locarno, and Karlovy Vary. Additionally, she wrote several influential books on Asian cinema, including “The New Indian Cinema” and “Being & Becoming: The Cinemas of Asia.”
In recognition of her achievements, Vasudev was awarded the Cavaliere della Stella della Solidarietà Italiana in 2004 and the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by France in 2019.
Supriya Suri’s documentary “Aruna Vasudev: Mother of Asian Cinema” delves into Vasudev’s impactful journey, celebrating her influence on the film industry and her dedication to Asian cinema.
Martine and Jean-Marc Thérouanne, co-founders of the Festival International des Cinémas d’Asie de Vesoul, expressed their sentiments: “We all considered her our ‘Mother of Asian Cinema,’ and her loss is deeply felt.”
Actor Shabana Azmi shared on Instagram: “She was a pioneer in establishing Asian cinema as a distinct genre. While her achievements were many, I will always cherish her warmth and radiant smile. Her insights were profound, and I deeply enjoyed her company. My heartfelt condolences to her family.”
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur commented on Azmi’s post: “It is indeed a great loss. Aruna was a true icon, deeply passionate about cinema and its place globally. She will be greatly missed. RIP.”