Suman Mukhopadhyay’s Nazarband to have world premiere at Busan International Film Festival

National Award-winning filmmaker Suman Mukhopadhyay’s Hindi feature film Nazarband (Captive) will have its world premiere at the 25th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

The festival will be held in a hybrid format from 21 to 30 October.

Nazarband explores survival and companionship and the meaning of rejection and acceptance. Inspired by a short story by Bengali writer Ashapurna Devi, the film is about two jailbirds Vasanti (Indira Tiwari) and Chandu (Tanmay Dhanania), who embark on a harrowing and unpredictable journey drifting across Kolkata.

Mukhopadhyay said he was immensely delighted to be part of the internationally renowned festival. "This selection gives me a new stimulus as a filmmaker,” he said. The director's earlier films include Posham Pa (2019), Asamapta (2017), Shesher Kobita (2014), Kangal Malsat (2013), Mahanagar@Kolkata (2009), Chaturanga (2008) and Herbert (2006), the last of which won the National Award for Best Regional Film.

Producer Pawan Kanodia said the film was a labour of love. "We are delighted that it is making its world premiere at the prestigious Busan Film Festival. It’s a great beginning and we can’t wait to share our film with the world,” said Kanodia.

The was shot by Kate McDonough and edited by Tinni Mitra. The music was composed by Prabuddha Banerjee and the sound design was done by Bigyna Dahal. Shot in Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal, the film was produced by Pawan Kanodia and AVA Film Productions.

Also, the trailer and poster of the Hindi feature film were released on Tuesday.