معرفی
Rakesh Sengupta is an Assistant Professor cross-appointed to the Department of English at the University of Toronto Scarborough, University of Toronto. His academic work bridges film studies, media archaeology, and critical theory with a focus on South Asian cinematic traditions.
His research delves into the historical, cultural, and epistemological frameworks of Indian and South Asian cinema, particularly through the lens of screenwriting practices from 1930 to 1960. Drawing on multilingual archival materials and fieldwork in Mumbai, he develops a decolonial model for film historiography that challenges Western-centric narratives of cinema. His current book project, An Archaeology of Screenwriting: Archives, Practices and Epistemes of Indian Cinema, 1930-1960, is a cornerstone of this intervention.
His publications span top journals such as Theory, Culture & Society, BioScope, and Literature/Film Quarterly. The thematic trends across his recent articles reveal a consistent engagement with marginalized media practices, alternative archives, authorship, and the political economy of Bollywood. His work often intersects with postcolonial theory, media materiality, and global film cultures.
He has received notable recognition including the Best Journal Article award from the Screenwriting Research Network and a High Commendation for Screen’s Annette Kuhn Debut Essay Prize.
Rakesh has taught at the University of Amsterdam and holds a PhD from SOAS, University of London. He also contributes public scholarship to prominent platforms such as The Wire, Dawn, and Indian Cultural Forum, where he writes on contemporary issues in South Asian cinema and culture, including Hinduphobia and the legacy of authors like Saadat Hasan Manto. While his advising and grant activities are not detailed, his interdisciplinary research profile suggests active engagement in academic collaborations and knowledge mobilization.
