6 days ago
Anurag Kashyap Backs Venice Indian Selection ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees' (EXCLUSIVE)
Indian auteur Anurag Kashyap is throwing his weight behind emerging talent, coming aboard as presenter for Anuparna Roy's feature directorial debut 'Songs of Forgotten Trees,' which will world premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival.
The human drama marks India's only selection in Venice's Horizons strand, joining the ranks of previous films including Chaitanya Tamhane's 'Court' and Karan Tejpal's 'Stolen,' the latter of which recently bowed on Prime Video.
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Starring Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel, the Mumbai-set feature is produced by Bibhanshu Rai, Romil Modi and Ranjan Singh, with co-production from Navin Shetty and Roy herself.
The film follows Thooya, a migrant and aspiring actress who navigates Mumbai by leveraging beauty and wit, occasionally trading intimacy for opportunity. When she sublets her sugar daddy's upscale apartment to Swetha, a fellow migrant working a corporate job, the two women from seemingly different worlds begin sharing more than just living space. Amid Mumbai's relentless pulse, they discover silent empathy, though personal histories and wounds test their delicate connection in what the synopsis describes as 'a strange and tender unfolding – of selfhood, of survival, of unexpected kinship.'
'I have always believed in backing new talent, especially those who want to say something different, challenge the set norms by their ideas and beliefs,' Kashyap said in a statement. 'Ranjan and I have been associated with multiple such films over the years, and it's amazing to see such raw talent continuously coming up. Anuparna is definitely one such voice and we feel proud and happy to back her first feature.'
Films where Kashyap and Singh have teamed on as producers include 'Little Thomas' and Berlin title 'Tiger's Pond.'
Kashyap's endorsement comes as his own latest feature 'Bandar' (Monkey in a Cage), starring Bobby Deol and Sanya Malhotra, preps for its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival.
Director Roy, who initially self-funded the project while juggling three corporate jobs in Mumbai, said she's drawn to stories mainstream cinema 'continues to ignore.'
'Despite having one of the largest film industries in the world by volume, we rarely tell stories of the marginalized – of those excluded by class, caste, and gender. I want to change that,' Roy said. 'I want to speak of the miseries I've witnessed and lived through, not just as an Indian but as a global citizen. I believe that telling these stories might give voice to the unheard, offer solace to some, and perhaps even inspire others.'
The project carries deeply personal resonance for Roy, whose search for childhood friend Jhuma Nath – whose child marriage was carried out under what she calls 'a man-made social order and a failed government scheme' – sparked the story. 'This film carries her memories,' Roy added.
Producer Ranjan Singh of Flip Films called Roy a 'unique voice' after seeing her short 'Run to the River' and hearing her one-line pitch at a film event. 'That stayed with me for the longest time,' Singh said. 'I am happy that her debut film is premiering at Venice, and I am confident that it'll definitely make a mark on the audience worldwide and in India as well.'
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