India, Oct. 9 -- Filmmaker and producer Kiran Rao has mastered the art of mainstreaming social commentary, as seen in her early films like Dhobi Ghat and more recently in Laapataa Ladies and Humans in the Loop. In 2016, Rao co-founded Paani Foundation, a non-profit focused on helping Maharashtra's drought-stricken farmers become climate-resilient. In an interview with Preetha Banerjee, Rao shares how her journey has deepened her understanding of nature and how it has influenced her creative work:

What first sparked your awareness of environmental and social issues, and how has that awareness evolved over the years?

My awareness has developed slowly and organically over the years. As a child, I always felt most alive when I was outdoors-...