Anjum Rajabali slams bias against Indian writers, calls it ‘modern-day colonialism’

Veteran screenwriter Anjum Rajabali has strongly criticised global streaming platforms for what he described as discriminatory treatment of Indian screenwriters, calling the bias “modern-day colonialism.”

Speaking at a special panel discussion during the annual general meeting (AGM) of the International Affiliation of Writers Guilds (IAWG) — hosted in India for the first time by the Screenwriters Association (SWA) — Rajabali said Indian writers often face unequal pay and limited creative autonomy compared to their Western counterparts.

“Despite India’s vibrant storytelling traditions and the global success of its content, our writers are not treated on par with those in the West. This bias is nothing short of modern-day colonialism,” he said.

Rajabali, known for acclaimed films such as Ghulam, Pukar, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, and Raajneeti, emphasised the need for collective action among writers to demand equitable contracts, fair compensation, and respect for creative rights.

The three-day global summit, which brought together representatives from 15 writers’ guilds across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Africa, and Asia, focused on key issues confronting writers worldwide — including fair pay, intellectual property rights, and the impact of streaming platforms on local industries.

Participants also discussed the importance of international solidarity among writers to ensure that creative professionals in developing markets like India are not sidelined in the evolving global entertainment ecosystem.

Rajabali’s remarks struck a chord with many attendees, who echoed concerns about the growing disparity between local and global industry practices in the streaming era.