Indian Women Rising, a cinema collective founded by Ekta Kapoor, Guneet Monga, Tahira Kashyap Khurrana, and Ruchikaa Kapoor, is collaborating with Educate Girls USA to raise funds for the two young leads of the Oscar-contending short film Bittu. 

The collaboration has witnessed the support of Priyanka Chopra Jonas who gave a shout-out to the fund-raiser event. 

Bittu explores the close friendship between two schoolgirls on a seemingly normal day at school. Set against the backdrop of the Himalayas, the film follows an eight-year-old who must take matters into her own hands when her community fails to protect its most vulnerable. Bittu is directed by Karishma Dev Dube and stars Rani Kumari and Renu Kumari. 

Priyanka Chopra Jonas shares, “Cinema the world over needs more women to bring their voices, stories and perspectives to the fore and this is one step in that direction. This fundraiser will help these two amazing young girls, Rani and Renu Kumari, continue their education and pursue all the dreams and ambitions they have for themselves and I hope that many will come forward to help make this a reality.”  

Safeena Husain, Founder of Educate Girls USA, said, “Children need to get equal opportunities to access quality education. With this collaboration, we are trying to bring the vital importance of investing in girls’ education to the forefront. It is the best investment the world can make as it positively impacts nine sustainable development goals, including health, nutrition, employment, even climate change. This investment also helps break the intergenerational cycle of poverty, patriarchy, and illiteracy as an educated girl is more than twice as likely to educate her children.” 

The fundraiser is scheduled for March 5 and will be moderated by Prajakta Koli.