Wanakam Cinema Club Presents: Auto Queens (ஆட்டோ குயின்ஸ்)

🎥 Screening, Producer Intro & Live Q&A with Mohana and Leela Rani

Join us for a remarkable evening at Wanakam! Experience a vibrant community gathering in Amsterdam Oost, featuring a Q&A with the film’s protagonists alongside one of the producers.

About the Evening

In Chennai, three-wheeled autorickshaws are ubiquitous, yet women represent less than 0.5% of the city’s 80,000 drivers. Auto Queens (30 mins, Tamil with English subtitles) provides a grounded perspective on what it takes to claim public space, earn a living, and build solidarity.

This documentary follows Mohana, the president of Tamil Nadu's first women-led auto-rickshaw union (Veerapengal Munnetra Sangam), and Leela Rani, the treasurer with a spirited sense of humor. Directed by Tamil filmmaker Sraiyanti, the film authentically captures the messy, joyful reality of female friendship amidst an urban mobility revolution.

🛺 PROGRAMME FLOW 🛺

• Welcome Chai & Street Food Snacks
• Producer Introduction
• Screening: Auto Queens (30 mins)
• Live Q&A with Mohana & Leela Rani
• Open Lounge, Music & Conversation

Curator’s Note

"There is something profoundly political yet deeply intimate about two working-class women navigating Chennai's streets, sharing laughs while carving out space in a male-dominated profession. This event bridges our Amsterdam diaspora with the stories of labor, camaraderie, and belonging."

Join us for a film night celebrating sisterhood, street mobility, and southern grit!

Come early for hot chai and stay for the conversation. Let's make some noise for the royals of the road! 🎉

RSVP on Luma — the venue may charge a fee for no-shows.