Avani Rai

Statement

Avani Rai is a Mumbai-based photographer, filmmaker, and actor with experience in both fiction and documentary films. She has served as a camera operator on numerous short films and is known for her impactful photo essays on significant social issues, such as the enduring effects of the Bhopal gas tragedy, the ongoing struggles in Kashmir, and the Chennai water crisis.

Her photography has been featured in acclaimed national and international publications, including GQ, Vogue, Architectural Digest, The Wire, Hearst, The Platform, Sunday Guardian, and Scroll. Rai’s recent film, Raghu Rai—An Unframed Portrait, is a deeply personal project she directed and filmed, chronicling the photographic journey of her father, Raghu Rai, as he documented India’s history over five decades. Through this film, she also explores her own experiences in Kashmir, reflecting a shared narrative with her father during its making.