LAHORE: Renowned filmmaker Mira Nair emphasized the need for the South Asians to tell their own stories, saying, `If we don`t, others will-and terribly.

She was speaking at the session, `Salam Cinema: South Asian Voices for a Global Audience,` also Ahad Raza Mir, filmmaker Saim Sadiq, and journalist Fifi Haroon as moderator. In the panel, the discussion revolved around the power of storytelling in the South Asian cinema, the challenges of representation and the importance of authentic narratives that reflect the region`s humanity and complexity.

Ms Nair spoke about the vitality of place and people in her filmmaking process, warning against the exoticization of culture.

Reflecting on Irrfan Khan`s legacy, she described his intensity and humility as central to his craft.

Saim Sadiq highlighted the difficulties of censorship in Pakistan and his emotional desire to screen his work in Lahore. He also discussed the stark gender dynamics within Pakistan, exploring themes of hypocrisy and identity in his storytelling.Ahad Raza Mir stressed the responsibility of South Asian creators to provide authentic representations of their culture. He noted progress in global cinema where South Asian stories were now being told but emphasized the ongoing challenges for actors of color in navigating hyperreal portrayals of race and identity.

The panel concluded that South Asian cinema`s strength lies in its ability to challenge stereotypes,explore complex identities, and resist cultural misrepresentation.

By focusing on authenticity and embracing the lived experiences of their people, filmmakers and actors could create narratives that resonated globally while staying true to their roots, the panelists said.

The session underscored cinema`s role as a powerful medium for cultural preservation, resistance and connection.