The award-winning Indian docu-drama on HIV stigma will be screened at the Global Village Networking Zone, followed by an interactive discussion on compassion, inclusion and human dignity
New Delhi: More than 20 years after it first reached audiences, Indian filmmaker Anant Gupta’s ‘Us & Them’ will once again take centre stage internationally with a screening at the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The screening and an interactive discussion will take place on July 29, 2026, at the conference’s Global Village Networking Zone.
Originally produced in 2005, explores the stigma, discrimination and social inequalities felt by protagonist living with HIV/AIDS.
Built around the theme “of Care.”, the film highlights the importance of compassion, dignity and inclusion in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The screening comes as part of AIDS 2026, the world’s largest HIV conference, which will be held on July 26 to 31 in Rio de Janeiro. Researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, activists and community leaders from across the world are expected to attend the conference to discuss advances in HIV prevention, treatment, research and human rights to end AIDS.
Anant produced “Us & Them” at the age of 20 after working with a media monitoring agency whose clients included the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). Reading extensively about HIV/AIDS and the discrimination faced by people living with the disease inspired him to tell a story centred on empathy and acceptance.
The film’s protagonist, named Abhimanyu, was inspired by the courageous character from the Mahabharata. Through the story, Gupta sought to convey a simple yet powerful message—that people living with HIV deserve the same love, respect and emotional support as everyone else, and that compassion can transform lives.
Speaking about the film’s return to the global stage, Anant Gupta said, “When I made ‘Us & Them’ at the age of 20, I wanted people to see beyond the disease and recognize the human being. More than 20 years later, the issues of stigma and discrimination still exist, making this conversation as relevant today as it was then. I hope the film continues to encourage empathy, inclusion and dignity for everyone living with HIV.”
The film also features the thoughts of Late Dr. KK Aggarwal (Padma Shri) and Dr. SY Quraishi (from DG – NACO)
The documentary was well received, acknowledged and appreciated from KANCO and then BBC country head. The positive response encouraged Gupta to continue pursuing socially relevant storytelling for brands .
Following the success of the film, Gupta completed his Master’s in Mass Communication, trained with Doordarshan and worked with advertising agency Ogilvy before initiating a production company, A New Dimension, in 2011. Over the years, the company has worked with organisations including Pepsi, Indian Railways, NIIT, GMR and CBSE, Pearson, Save the Children, Publicis, Pratt & Whitney producing Brand films and content across sectors.
