The first Indian fiction feature to win the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at Sundance has unveiled its official trailer. “Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears),” written and directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, will hit Indian theaters via Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media.
As revealed by Variety, Strand Releasing has secured North American distribution rights, with worldwide sales handled by MPM Premium.
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Set against the rugged landscape of western India, the film follows Anand, a city-dweller dealing with personal loss and family pressures as he undertakes a 10-day mourning ritual in his ancestral village. There, he reconnects with Balya, a childhood friend facing similar societal expectations. The cast includes Bhushaan Manoj, Suraaj Suman and Jayshri Jagtap.
The project has attracted heavyweight Indian film industry support, with acclaimed filmmakers Nagraj Manjule, Nikkhil Advani, Saie Tamhankar and Vikramaditya Motwane coming aboard as executive producers.
The production represents an international collaboration, developed under the Venice Biennale College Cinema 2022-2023 and the National Film Development Corporation of India’s Marathi script camp. It was presented at multiple global platforms including the Film London Production Finance Market, Film Bazaar Co-Production Market, Venice Gap Financing Market and Goes to Cannes.
The film is produced by Neeraj Churi (U.K.), Mohamed Khaki (Canada), Kaushik Ray (U.K.), Naren Chandavarkar (India), Sidharth Meer (India) and Hareesh Reddypalli (India), with co-producer Neha Kaul and actor Jim Sarbh, plus associate producer Rajesh Parwatkar.
Vikas Urs served as cinematographer, with editing by Anadi Athaley and sound design by Anirban Borthakur and Naren Chandavarkar. Sachin Lovalekar designed costumes, while Himanshu Kamble handled color grading.
“‘Sabar Bonda’ is a tender yet powerful film, deeply rooted in its characters while speaking to something universal,” said Daggubati. “Winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance is a landmark moment for the film and for Indian cinema at large. With ‘Sabar Bonda,’ Rohan has delivered a remarkable debut.”
For Kanawade, who hails from humble beginnings in a Mumbai slum and transitioned from interior design to filmmaking, the journey has been transformative. “This film is a part of me, shaped by the people and moments that have made me who I am,” the director said. “From its beginnings as an idea, to being recognized at Sundance, and now finally coming home, the journey has been profoundly fulfilling.”
Spirit Media, founded by Daggubati in 2005, specializes in original content development and distribution, talent management and creative brand marketing services.
“Cactus Pears” opens in Indian theaters Sept. 19.
Watch the trailer here:
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