About the film

Listen With Your Heart is about reimagining what’s possible when we choose to see ability over limitation—through a mother’s unwavering belief in her daughter and the world she builds because of it.

The film follows Sushama, a psychologist and mountaineer, and her musically gifted autistic daughter, Aarti, whose extraordinary bond leads to the creation of Café Arpan in Mumbai—an inclusive café where people with developmental disabilities find dignity, independence, and meaningful work.

At a time when millions of individuals with developmental disabilities remain excluded from the workforce, Listen With Your Heart offers a powerful, real-world model of what true inclusion can look like.

More than a story, the film is part of a growing movement to shift how we see ability—inviting families, educators, employers, and communities to recognize potential, create opportunities, and build a more inclusive world.