Press & Publications
What the press has said about our stories, and what we’ve learned from making them. Our research and writing on media, representation and social change.
Press
Select Press Coverage
From Variety to The Economic Times, coverage of our films, series and leadership.
Oct 2026Civic Studios announces three releases spanning climate, sex education and women’s boxingRead on The Economic Times 
May 2026Small screen, big scamRead on Mid-day 
Feb 2026Naseeruddin Shah, Civic Studios Back Sharib Hashmi-Starrer Short ‘It’s Only 47°C’Read on The Hollywood Reporter India 
Feb 2026Civic Studios Builds a Climate Media Ecosystem to Drive Impactful StorytellingRead on The Times of India 
Oct 2025Anushka Shah and Civic Studios: Strengthening UK–India creative ties through purpose-driven storytellingRead on The Global Indian 
Oct 2025Bollywood comes to Britain: Three blockbusters to be made in the UK from next yearRead on GOV.UK 
Dec 2024British Oscar Submission ‘Santosh’ Sets 2025 U.K. Release From Vertigo and CivicRead on Variety 
Nov 2024[100 Emerging Women Leaders] How Anushka Shah is pioneering civic impact through conscious entertainmentRead on YourStory 
Jun 2024Pan Nalin, Gurinder Chadha Projects on the Slate as India, the U.K.’s Civic Studios Continues Global ExpansionRead on Variety
Archive
All Press Coverage
153 articles across 10 years. Choose a year.
- Hindustan TimesAnurag Kashyap-backed Little Thomas gets a release date
- The Hollywood Reporter IndiaLittle Thomas locks October theatrical release
- The HinduLittle Thomas locks its release date
- ANI NewsLittle Thomas to release on October 23
- News18Little Thomas release date announced
- Bollywood HungamaLittle Thomas to hit theatres on October 23
- The TribuneTej Sisodia wants audiences to feel the heat and the inequality
- The New Indian ExpressSweating it out: It’s Only 47°C
- The New Indian ExpressKeeping his cool: Sharib Hashmi interview
- ThePrintSharib Hashmi on It’s Only 47°C and climate inequality
- Press Trust of IndiaSharib Hashmi on It’s Only 47°C and climate inequality
- The WeekIt’s Only 47°C explores how extreme heat comes with a rate card
- Northeast Film JournalReview: It’s Only 47°C
- MathrubhumiNaseeruddin Shah and Sharib Hashmi on It’s Only 47°C
- The Times of IndiaIt’s Only 47°C review
- Cinema ExpressAnushka Shah: climate impact can’t wait for a theatrical window
- ETV BharatAnushka Shah on using entertainment to drive climate awareness
- Mid-dayAnushka Shah and Kashmira Patil on Scam City
- The Hollywood Reporter IndiaNaseeruddin Shah and Civic Studios back It’s Only 47°C
- The Times of IndiaCivic Studios builds a climate media ecosystem
- The TribuneMumbai Climate Week spotlights extreme heat with It’s Only 47°C
- India TodayMumbai Climate Week spotlights extreme heat (PR Newswire)
- LoksattaSpecial screening of It’s Only 47°C at Mumbai Climate Week
- The WeekMumbai Climate Week spotlights extreme heat with It’s Only 47°C
- FirstpostChristmas Karma producer Anushka Shah in conversation
- The FederalChristmas Karma: Gurinder Chadha and Anushka Shah
- HomegrownGurinder Chadha on her legacy, from Bend It Like Beckham to Christmas Karma
- Mid-dayA very Brit-Indian Christmas: Gurinder Chadha on Christmas Karma
- The Hollywood Reporter IndiaGurinder Chadha on diaspora and Christmas Karma
- Content Media SolutionStar-studded Christmas Karma premiere
- FilmibeatThe Christmas Karma premiere
- ThePrintGurinder Chadha’s immigrant take on Christmas
- The Times of IndiaPriyanka Chopra’s desi Last Christmas for Christmas Karma
- The TribunePriyanka Chopra lends a desi twist to Last Christmas
- ThePrintPriyanka Chopra lends a desi twist to Last Christmas
- MathrubhumiAnushka Shah, entertainment entrepreneur
- The Global IndianStrengthening UK–India creative ties through purpose-driven storytelling
- Screen DailyDaughter of Eden cast announced
- VarietyYash Raj Films’ UK three-picture deal
- GOV.UKBollywood comes to Britain: three blockbusters to be made in the UK
- The Hollywood Reporter IndiaChristmas Karma sets its India release
- DeadlineChristmas Karma trailer
- Flickering MythChristmas Karma trailer and posters
- The TelegraphDickens would approve of a Bollywood-themed Christmas Carol
- Yahoo NewsChristmas Karma trailer
- GB NewsFirst trailer for Christmas Karma
- The UpcomingKunal Nayyar, Eva Longoria and Boy George star in Christmas Karma
- DeadlineIn The Shadows first look
- The HinduLittle Thomas earns three nods at NYIFF
- BFI Sight and SoundSantosh review
- The UpcomingSantosh review
- Times NowAnushka Shah on Santosh going to the Oscars
- Mid-dayShahana Goswami on Santosh’s Oscar shortlist
- ABC NewsOscars 2025 shortlists announced
- ForbesOscar shortlists announced
- The Hollywood ReporterOscar shortlists: the full list
- VarietySantosh lands a UK deal with Vertigo and Civic Studios
- Screen DailySantosh acquired for UK and Ireland distribution
- VarietyJust Like Her Mother at Film Bazaar
- YourStory100 Emerging Women Leaders: Anushka Shah
- ForbesHow the Indian producer of In The Shadows identifies with Ramla Ali
- Screen AnarchyReview: Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust
- IWM BuzzBarun Sobti to headline Gursimran Khamba’s Ikatthe
- Deccan ChronicleCivic Studios presents Ramla Ali biopic
- VarietyJasmine Jobson to play Ramla Ali in In The Shadows
- The Hollywood ReporterJasmine Jobson in Ramla Ali boxing biopic
- Screen DailyIn The Shadows casts Jasmine Jobson, scores UK–Ireland deal
- The Times of IndiaRasika Dugal on Little Thomas’ world premiere
- Bollywood HungamaRasika Dugal on Little Thomas at IFFM
- VarietyAnurag Kashyap boards Little Thomas
- The Times of IndiaLittle Thomas heads to IFFM
- The HinduAnurag Kashyap returns to children’s film with Little Thomas
- Financial ExpressA campaign that turns content into a call for action
- IMDbPan Nalin and Gurinder Chadha projects with Civic Studios
- Yahoo NewsPan Nalin and Gurinder Chadha projects with Civic Studios
- VarietyCivic Studios backs new films from Pan Nalin and Gurinder Chadha
- Medianews4uCivic Studios raises global awareness of social issues
- Mid-dayCivically entertaining
- Storyboard18Indian women filmmakers at Cannes 2024
- VarietyLondon Indian Film Festival turns 15
- Eastern EyeChristmas Karma questions people like Rishi Sunak, says producer
- Cinema ExpressAnushka Shah on Christmas Karma
- The Telegraph IndiaChristmas Karma, a modern twist on A Christmas Carol
- Mid-dayFamily Aaj Kal and the biases of progressive families
- ThePrintGurinder Chadha announces Christmas Karma
- Hindustan TimesGurinder Chadha announces Christmas Karma
- The WeekGurinder Chadha announces Christmas Karma
- India TodayKunal Nayyar and Eva Longoria in Christmas Karma
- English JagranFamily Aaj Kal: a love story breaking all the biases
- Art Now ThusSpotlight: Civic Studios
- NewsdrumSchirkoa premieres at IFFR
- Cartoon BrewSchirkoa: In Lies We Trust trailer
- Hindustan TimesSchirkoa premieres at IFFR
- DevdiscourseSchirkoa premieres at IFFR
- Mid-dayPaper bags for a face: Schirkoa at Rotterdam
- MoneycontrolIFFR 2024: Ishan Shukla on Schirkoa
- ScrollHow an Indian animator assembled an international cast
- The WeekSchirkoa to premiere at IFFR 2024
- DevdiscourseSchirkoa to premiere at IFFR 2024
- Outlook IndiaSchirkoa to premiere at IFFR 2024
- The Times of IndiaSchirkoa to premiere at IFFR 2024
- ThePrintSchirkoa to premiere at IFFR 2024
- Eastern EyeSchirkoa to premiere at IFFR
- DailyhuntSchirkoa to premiere at IFFR 2024
- NDTVSchirkoa set for its Rotterdam debut
- MoneycontrolBollywood delays releases
- LiveLawVakeel Babu screened for law students
- MediaBriefExclusive: Anushka Shah, Civic Studios
- The EstablishedHow entertainment can drive social change
- The LeafletVakeel Babu offers a timely lesson in public morality
- Indian TelevisionAnushka Shah on how Civic Studios green-lights projects
- Medianews4uAnushka Shah on bringing untold stories to the forefront
- Balaji NewsYe Saali Naukri crosses a views milestone
- HomegrownA web series on career and identity in India
- The TribuneMake way for mini web series Ye Saali Naukri
- Film CompanionVakeel Babu practises more than it preaches
- Animation XpressCivic Studios debuts in animation with Schirkoa
- MediaBriefCivic Studios announces feature film Schirkoa
- MediaBriefPocket Change mockumentary Blue Collar Files
- The Telegraph IndiaVakeel Babu makes the NYIFF 2022 cut
- Outlook IndiaVakeel Babu selected for NYIFF
- The TribuneVakeel Babu makes it to NYIFF 2022
- AdgullyVakeel Babu makes it to NYIFF 2022
- WIONVakeel Babu to premiere at NYIFF 2022
- Free Press JournalVakeel Babu makes its way to NYIFF 2022
- Bollywood HungamaVakeel Babu makes its way to NYIFF 2022
- ABP LiveVakeel Babu makes its way to NYIFF 2022
- AdgullyCivic Studios’ series #BreaksTheBias
- Youth Ki AwaazWomen in Indian politics (Hindi)
- The Logical IndianCivic Studios: democracy meets entertainment
- MoneycontrolAnushka Shah on democracy, humour and Indian politics
- Mid-dayFixing the system, one laugh at a time
- Youth Ki AwaazNational Voting Day special (Hindi)
- Feminism in IndiaWomen’s Reservation Bill: when will it come?
- ADR SpeaksPodcast on women’s representation, Part 2
- NewslaundryWorld Toilet Day: public toilets and citizens
- NewslaundryWhy data privacy is important (Hindi)
- NewslaundryHow women online reacted to Thappad
- The News MinuteVetrimaaran on glorifying custodial violence on screen
- Mint LoungeRethinking the angry young cop in Indian cinema
- The LallantopHow to deal with domestic violence (Hindi)
- ScoopWhoopThe surge in domestic violence during lockdown
- FirstpostCrime and courtroom drama in Indian entertainment
- Film CompanionCrime and Punishment launch highlights
- Film CompanionDo Bollywood cop movies influence crime?
- LawctopusCrime and Punishment in Indian Entertainment
- The HinduSeparating reel and real crime
- The HinduAnalysing reel vs real of crime and punishment
- Film CompanionHow Delhi Crime reimagined policing
- IDRSeven ways to create entertainment with impact
Publications
Research Publications
Research reports, studies and tools from the Civic Studios team.
Report · 2024Evolution of Mental Health Representation in Hindi Cinema (1980s–2020s)As part of our collaboration with Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies for Mannotsav, their mental health festival, we studied how Hindi cinema’s portrayal of mental health evolved from the 1980s to the 2020s, tracing stigma, diagnosis, treatment, support systems and gender across key films from each decade.Read more 
Report · 2018–23Ecosystem Mapping: Media & Entertainment in IndiaIn collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Civic Studios embarked on a comprehensive mapping of the Indian entertainment ecosystem to understand how mainstream entertainment can be a catalyst for gender empowerment. The project included a gender-sensitive analysis of 300+ diverse media pieces to evaluate gender representation in Indian content over a six-year period (2018–2023).Read more 
Video series‘Films & Social Change’: A Series on Social Impact Filmmaking#FilmsAndSocialChange is our five-part video series created in collaboration with Film Companion, where acclaimed writers and directors behind movies like Masaan, Kaala, Visaranai, My Brother Nikhil, Lipstick Under My Burkha, and Thappad share their real-world strategies on how to drive change through cinema.Watch all episodes 
Report · 2019Crime and Punishment in Indian EntertainmentThis research report studies the way in which the police and judiciary are represented in Indian entertainment media (films, TV shows, and web series), and its impact on shaping citizens’ understanding of these institutions and the democracy building project, at large.View the interactive report 
Study · 2020How Women Online Reacted to Thappad: Social Listening StudyAfter the digital release of Thappad in May 2020, we explored the conversations it generated on women’s attitudes towards violence and patriarchy in marriages, through a social listening analysis of over 170 comments by members of women-only Facebook groups.Read the Newslaundry feature 
Article · 2019Seven Ways to Create Entertainment with ImpactDeveloped at the MIT Media Lab under the Civic Entertainment project, this article studies 9 films that had both popularity and impact. The analysis derives seven best practices needed to create media impact.Read more 
ToolStructure of the Indian Government: Interactive ToolA free to use, publicly accessible tool that helps visualise and understand the various arms of the Union, State and Local government, through flow charts, brief descriptions and video links.Explore the tool