City students bag prize for short film in nat’l contest

Ludhiana: Young filmmakers Mahi Saluja and Rabbya Wadhwa, both from Ludhiana and students of Class IX, have won the second prize in the WAVES Young Filmmakers Challenge in the junior category. It was organised by the information and broadcasting ministry, GoI.The competition formed a key highlight of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025), hosted at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Mahi and Rabbya's thought-provoking short film on the theme of humanity and technology earned national acclaim, making it to the top 10 finalists and winning them a coveted spot in the grand finale. Jubilant on return after receiving the award in Mumbai, Mahi and Rabbya said they were surprised that the film was selected among the top 10 from entries from across the country. The award was conferred upon the finalists by L Murugan, MoS (information and broadcasting and parliamentary affairs), and veteran actor Anupam Kher. The summit was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, who described WAVES as "a wave of culture, creativity, and universal connectivity." Commending the young talents, Anuja Kaushal, principal of their school, BCM Arya Model School, stated, "This remarkable accomplishment showcases the creativity, expression, and innovation that our students bring to life when provided with the right opportunities. We are incredibly proud of Mahi and Rabbya for bringing national recognition and inspiring their peers.