In a powerful celebration of voice, courage, and culture, We The Women – India’s premier women-led festival will make its landmark UK debut at the iconic Anil Agarwal Riverside Studios in London. Backed by Vedanta Founder & Chairman Anil Agarwal, this milestone edition highlights the group’s steadfast commitment to promoting Indian art & culture, talent, and inclusive storytelling on a global stage.
Curated by acclaimed journalist and author Barkha Dutt, We The Women has, over the years, become one of India’s most impactful cultural movements, spotlighting extraordinary individuals across cinema, public service, science, literature, and more. Following successful editions in Dubai and across India, the London chapter promises a compelling confluence of dialogue, performance, and inspiration.
Anil Agarwal’s vision to transform Riverside Studios into a thriving cultural hub for global Indian voices has now found new resonance through this festival. His long-standing commitment to nurturing talent and giving Indian art a world platform mirrors the essence of We The Women – a celebration of both heritage and progress.
This year’s London edition will feature an extraordinary lineup of speakers- former Union minister Smriti Irani, one of India’s most influential women in public life; to acclaimed filmmaker Karan Johar, the creative force behind some of India’s biggest cinematic hits and a trailblazer in mainstream storytelling; Shashi Tharoor, Indian politician, author, and former diplomat; megastar Kareena Kapoor Khan, an icon of Indian cinema known for redefining female stardom; and beloved actor Rashmika Mandanna, one of India’s fastest rising stars with pan-India appeal.
Cultural icons like Anoushka Shankar, Grammy-nominated sitar virtuoso and composer; Sudha Murthy, acclaimed author, philanthropist, and the first woman engineer at TATA Engineering and Locomotive Company; and Meera Syal, celebrated British Indian writer, comedian, and BAFTA-winning actor, will also bring their unique voices to the stage, bridging heritage, creativity, and empowerment.
The festival will also spotlight stories of grit and patriotism, such as the women officers behind India’s recent Operation Sindoor, and recognise Changemakers of 2025 – trailblazers from the British Indian community and beyond.
“At Vedanta, we believe that progress must be inclusive, and stories have the power to transform societies. By bringing ‘We The Women’ to Anil Agarwal Riverside Studios London, we’re building bridges between cultures and empowering voices that deserve to be heard across borders,” said Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta and a passionate advocate for inclusion and equity. She added, “We are committed to a future where every voice matters and every story inspires change, and we hope we can bring many such stories to Riverside”
Barkha Dutt, curator of the festival, added “This will be an amazing day of conversation, community, celebration and inspiration. We have an absolutely stellar line-up of speakers- the best line-up of its kind – and I am delighted to partner with Vedanta in bringing this day of glamour, gravitas and grassroots to London. We are so looking forward to celebrating women and the men who champion women for a day of fun, festivity and food”.
We The Women is not just a festival – it is a movement that unites generations, geographies, and genders. With Vedanta’s support and Anil Agarwal’s cultural vision, this edition marks a significant step in taking India’s stories to the world.
Vedanta supports a variety of ancient art forms and grassroot artists in India including Dhokra and Saura arts in Odisha, and Ajrak block printing in Rajasthan. In addition, it extends support to various cultural and literary festivals in India such as the Jaipur Literature Festival and the Udaipur World Music Festival.
Vedanta Limited is a global leader in critical minerals, energy and technology operating a diverse portfolio of world-class assets. It is the world’s largest integrated producer of zinc, the fourth-largest global producer of silver, amongst the world’s top aluminium producers, India’s only private oil and gas producer, and one of its largest private power producers. With an eye on the future, the company is strategically expanding its business portfolio by venturing into rare earths, other critical minerals, and renewable energy.
