Alia Bhatt-Backed Difficult Daughters Selected For Asian Project Market At BIFF
Alia Bhatt's upcoming production Difficult Daughters has secured a coveted spot at the Asian Project Market (APM) 2025, an initiative held as part of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). The project, directed by veteran actor and filmmaker Soni Razdan, joins a list of 30 selected films from across Asia that will be showcased during the APM, set to run from September 20 to 23 at BEXCO, Busan.
Produced by Alia Bhatt under her banner Eternal Sunshine Productions, the film also sees involvement from her sister Shaheen Bhatt and acclaimed Indian indie producer Alan McAlex, known for Santosh. This selection marks a notable milestone for the Bhatt family, particularly as Soni Razdan takes the directorial reins on a project.
According to Deadline, the Asian Project Market this year features a dynamic slate of projects helmed by both emerging and established filmmakers. One standout pairing includes All We Imagine As Light actor Kani Kusruti and Cannes winner Payal Kapadia, who will produce The Last Of Them Plagues, directed by Kunjila Mascillamani.
The APM lineup also showcases new work from Indian director Pradip Kurbah, winner of BIFF's 2019 Jiseok Award, who returns with his project Moon. Bangladeshi filmmaker Biplob Sarkar presents The Magical Men, an LGBTQ+-focused narrative. Malaysia's Lau Kok Rui, a BIFF Asian Film Academy alumnus, brings Wake Me Up When the Mourning Ends, backed by producers Soi Cheang, Stefano Centini, and Wong Kew Soon.
In total, five Chinese-language films have been selected, with three from Taiwan spotlighting women-led narratives. Japan is represented by three directors, Shiraishi Kazuya, Fujita Naoya, and Zhang Yaoyuan, exploring stories ranging from migrant labor to identity and youth struggles.
Alia Bhatt, last seen in Vasan Bala's Jigra, not only played the lead but also produced the film, which followed a woman's risky mission to save her imprisoned brother. She is next set to appear in Alpha, alongside Sharvari. Directed by Shiv Rawail, the film is part of Yash Raj Films' growing spy universe and is scheduled for release during the 2025 Christmas weekend.
First Published:
July 21, 2025, 11:19 IST
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