Latest news with #DebanjaliKamstra
The National
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
From Mrs UAE World to Cannes: Dubai resident Debanjali Kamstra makes acting debut
Entrepreneur and Dubai resident Debanjali Kamstra, who was crowned Mrs Earth in 2023, is realising her childhood dreams of being an actress with her film being shown at the Cannes Film Festival. Kamstra's short film, 30 Days of Autumn, is being unveiled at the festival's film market, Marche du Film. Backed by her production company, Veloche Productions, and directed by Sudipto Roy, the film is an adaptation of the classic short story, The Postmaster by Indian Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Written in 1891, the original explores themes of loneliness and human connection, and follows a postmaster from Calcutta who, after being transferred to a remote village and struggling to adjust to his new life, strikes up a friendship with an orphaned village girl. In 30 Days of Autumn, the story centres on the relationship between a visitor Arpita Chakraborty, played by Kamstra, and a village boy Ratan, played by Maulik Ghosh. "Wanting to be on screen and in front of the camera was more of a forgotten childhood dream," Kamstra tells The National. "It was always there in the background, but I've never prioritised it, instead choosing to focus on my entrepreneurial journey. "It was after winning the title of Mrs World UAE and Mrs Earth 2023 that the dream kind of re-awakened." Kamstra, a former flight attendant who started her interior design business in Dubai a decade ago, became the first woman to represent the UAE at the 2022 Mrs World pageant, a beauty contest for married women. Kamstra was one of 15 finalists at the event held in Las Vegas, and eventually placed third. She represented the UAE again at Mrs Earth in 2023 and won. Her business has also expanded, and now includes a furnishings business, as well as Veloche Productions, which she launched last year with Indian film industry veteran Sandhya Ramachandran. 30 Days of Autumn is the first film to be produced by her banner. Originally from West Bengal in India, Kamstra had no formal acting training, but underwent an intensive workshop to prepare for her role. "I grew up watching a lot of movies wondering what it would be like if I had to say dialogues, do that dance sequence etc. So you could say there was a lot of informal training," she says. "It was my first time on a movie set and I loved every minute of it. The energy, the collaborative and highly creative process, the technicality all of it was absolutely mesmerising. "It was also overwhelming and a bit like an out of body experience to see myself on the big screen." At Cannes, Kamstra and Ramachandran are also launching their first feature film, a yet-untitled horror movie in English. Based on Indian folklore and mysticism, the film will be directed by Salil Jason Fernandes and Aliya Curmally, with production set to begin next year. A production fund has also been announced, open to aspiring filmmakers who may lack access to the film industry. While more details of the fund are yet to be announced, Veloche Productions will be accepting script submissions between July and September, with one winner to be announced in October. The fund will be initially open for talents in India ("as a litmus test") with plans to broaden its scope to those who live in the UAE from next year. "The idea for the production came from the desire to build on who I already was and get involved in projects that would compliment everything I already stand for," says Kamstra. "This is how we came up with the idea of setting up a production house where the focus is going to be on creating powerful narratives that empower, enrich and entertain." The fund, she hopes, will do the same, and provide talented filmmakers with opportunities and access. "My nature is to keep growing and keep moving, so I can assure you that there is a lot more coming up in the near future," she says.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Production Banner Veloche Launches With Horror Film, Fund for Indian Subcontinent Talent (EXCLUSIVE)
New production company, Veloche Productions, is set to make its debut at the Cannes Film Market. The venture will launch with a horror film and a dedicated production fund aimed at supporting filmmakers from the Indian subcontinent who lack access to traditional industry and studio funding. More from Variety Indonesian Cinema Legend Garin Nugroho and Director Razka Robby Ertanto Launch 'Spirit of the Kantil' at Cannes Market (EXCLUSIVE) Dennis To Returns as Wing Chun Master in 'Ip Man: Kung Fu Legend' (EXCLUSIVE) Falcon, GDH Reunite for Indonesian 'Shutter' Remake With Vino G. Bastian, Anya Geraldine (EXCLUSIVE) The fund will accept submissions from July through September 2025, with winners to be announced in October. This initiative represents the first major activity for the company, which was founded by U.A.E.-based entrepreneur and 2023 Mrs. Earth, Debanjali Kamstra, alongside Indian film industry veteran Sandhya Ramachandran, who has had stints as creative director at Rose Movies, film agent to Bollywood star Katrina Kaif and managing Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's Being Human brands portfolio and as CEO of UBT, his talent agency. Veloche Productions' inaugural project will be an English-language horror film inspired by Indian folklore and mysticism. The project will be helmed by Salil Jason Fernandes and creative producer Aliya Curmally, with production scheduled to begin in early 2026. Kamstra herself is set to make her acting debut in '30 Days of Autumn,' director Sudipto Roy's adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore's classic short story 'The Postmaster.' The extended short will have its world premiere at the Cannes market in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). 'There is so much incredible filmmaking talent in the Indian subcontinent, as demonstrated by the range of films that came to prominence over the last year internationally, garnering recognition through the international festivals and award selections and, through that, galvanizing audiences and appreciation from across the globe,' Kamstra said. 'Unfortunately, so much of this talent remains untapped as these filmmakers largely lack the connections to studios and production houses for funding.' She added, 'My career journey has provided me with so many chances and opportunities that my aim with Veloche Productions is to help others bring their own talent and stories to life, in this case on screen. And here we are, in Cannes, where my first film as an actor will be screened. What more fitting a backdrop to make this debut and announce the production company and production fund than Cannes?' 'In my years working in Indian cinema, I've seen so many scripts and come across so many aspiring and exceptionally talented directors, who sadly haven't had a chance to bring their visions to life because they just don't have the industry contacts or the access to studio funding,' said Ramachandran. 'Connecting with Debanjali, who is so full of talent, drive and a commitment to sharing her own success, we decided to conjoin our respective resources and expertise to launch Veloche Productions. We've green lighted our first project and we're so excited to see the production fund entry submissions for the next project, when they open in July.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
