BB Desk
What began as a modest effort to stay creatively connected during the uncertainty of 2020 has today transformed into a powerful platform for aspiring storytellers. Founded during the pandemic to guide emerging writers by actor Boman Irani, the mentorship initiative- Spiral Bound has come a long way, boasting a community of over 2,000 participants. “During the lockdown, I started mentoring a handful of writer-directors over phone calls. One of them suggested we move to Zoom to save time, and that’s how Spiral Bound actually started,” recalls Irani.
Spiral Bound has grown exponentially over time conducting around 865 sessions—both virtual and in-person. Each session, typically lasting over 90 minutes, remains free and accessible to anyone driven by curiosity and a passion for storytelling. “I have always believed that talent can come from anywhere. Spiral Bound has no entry barriers—you don’t need credentials, just curiosity and commitment,” emphasizes Irani.
Drawing from his own extensive experience, as well as his learnings under acclaimed writer Alexander Dinelaris Jr., Irani aims to nurture writers who can build sustainable careers while elevating the overall quality of storytelling in the industry.
Commemorating this significant milestone, the platform hosted an impressive gathering of some of Indian cinema’s most respected voices. The evening saw the presence of leading industry names like Javed Akhtar, Aamir Khan, Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Sooraj Barjatya, Ishaan Khatter, Farah Khan, Anil Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Diya Mirza, Jackie Shroff, Ananya Pandey, Imtiaz Ali, Amruta Fadnavis, Abhishekh Bachchan, Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha, Gajraj Rao, Archana Puran Singh, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Ramesh Sippy amongst others.
The event also marked a growing global dimension to the platform, with participation from the Moscow Film Cluster, reflecting increasing collaboration between Indian storytelling and international production ecosystems. As part of this collaboration, the top three writers from Spiral Bound will be taken to Russia for an immersive experience with the Moscow Film Cluster, offering exposure to global production practices, infrastructure, and potential co-production opportunities.
As Spiral Bound continues to expand its reach, the initiative remains rooted in its core mission, to create access, build craft, and shape the next generation of storytellers in Indian cinema.
