Who was Aruna Vasudev? Film critic dubbed "'mother of Asian cinema" dies at 88

Popularly known as the 'Mother of Asian Cinema' Aruna Vasudev passed away due to age-related complications at the age of 88 on September 5, 2024. The news of the film critic and film scholar's passing was confirmed by her close friend Neerja Sarin who told PTI that Aruna wasn't keeping well for some time.

Neerja Sarin mentioned that the late film critic had Alzheimer's and was suffering from other "old age-related health issues as well". Arun was undergoing treatment at a multi-specialty hospital for the past three weeks and passed away in the morning of September 5, 2024.

Aruna was born in pre-independent India in 1936, after which she was based in Delhi. The late film critic was the founder and editor of Cinemaya: The Asian Film Quarterly and was also credited for forming Netpac 29 years ago. Netpac is an international organization promoting Asian films.

---

Aruna Vasudev's contribution to cinema and arts received praise from the French government

Aruna Vasudev pursued her studies at the Paris-based Institute (Institute for Advanced Film Studies) and went on to avail of a PhD in cinema from the University of Paris, Sorbonne. In addition to her academic achievements, the late film critic has produced or directed approximately 20 documentaries and edited multiple books as well.

One of Aruna's notable literary works is the translation of Jean-Claude Carriere's In Search of the Mahabharata: Notes of Travels in India with Peter Brook from French into English.

A board member of one of the leading Indo-French cultural centres for French culture and language, Alliance Française de Delhi, Aruna's contribution to arts and cinema received praise from the government of France. The French government honored Aruna Vasudev with the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) in 2002 and Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters) in 2019 and which are considered to be some of the prestigious honors in French culture.

---

"I will always remember her for her warmth and radiant smile"- Actress Shabana Azmi pens down tribute for Aruna Vasudev

Prominent personalities in Indian cinema took to social media platforms to express their emotions on Aruna Vasudev's death. One among the same was actress Shabana Azmi who took to Instagram to pen down her thoughts as a tribute to the late film critic.

Stating she was saddened to hear about Aruna's passing, Shabana Azmi called her the "pioneer for making Asian films a genre to be talked about as a separate identity of its own." Commenting on how she would remember Aruna, Shabana Azmi mentioned:

"There are many laurels to her credit but I will always remember her for her warmth and radiant smile. Her observations were always insightful and I enjoyed being with her a lot. My condolences to her family. RIP dear dearest Aruna."

Additionally, author Namrata Joshi took to X to offer her condolences on Aruna's demise and tweeted:

"Growing up 80s-90s Delhi, world cinema—specially from Asia & the Arab world—first came home to us because of the ceaseless untiring efforts of Aruna and Latika Padgaonkar through their Cinefan film festival and Cinemaya magazine."

---

Aruna Vasudev was married to the late diplomat Sunil Roy Chowdhury and is survived by her daughter Yamini Roy Chowdhury. The late film critic's daughter is a graphic designer and is married to politician Varun Gandhi.

Aruna's last rites were held at Lodhi Road crematorium at 3 pm on September 5, 2024.