Synopsis
Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, director of ‘Sabar Bonda’, reacts to his film winning the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at Sundance. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Marathi cinema, showcasing universal themes of love and grief set against the backdrop of western India.Key Takeaways
- Sabar Bonda is the first Marathi film to win the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic.
- The film tells a heartfelt story of love, loss, and self-discovery.
- It highlights significant cultural narratives from Maharashtra.
- Rohan Kanawade emphasizes the universal appeal of authentic storytelling.
- The film received praise from the Sundance jury for its emotional depth.
Mumbai, Feb 1 (NationPress) Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, the director of the Marathi film ‘Sabar Bonda’ (Cactus Pears), has expressed his excitement over the film achieving the distinction of being the first Marathi film to win the esteemed World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at the Sundance Film Festival.
This film is notable as the sole Indian and South Asian entry in this year’s competition and tells a profoundly poignant story of love, loss, and self-discovery. Set against the stunning backdrops of western India, it follows Anand, a man dealing with personal grief and societal pressures as he returns to his ancestral village for a mourning ritual.
During his stay, he reconnects with Balya, a childhood friend who is facing similar challenges, igniting a journey that is both tender and quietly transformative.
Rohan remarked, “Winning at Sundance is the aspiration of every independent filmmaker, and for Sabar Bonda to be honored in such a significant manner is indescribable. This film is both personal and universal, and this accolade affirms that authentic, heartfelt narratives will always resonate with audiences—regardless of their origins. This represents a triumph for Marathi cinema, Indian cinema, and for every filmmaker who dreams of sharing their story.”
The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic recognizes outstanding international films that expand the horizons of storytelling and filmmaking.
While presenting the award, the Sundance jury, including Ava Cahen, Daniel Kaluuya, and Wanuri Kahiu, stated, “This is the quintessential modern love story. To say it's an honor to present this tender film an understatement. We shed tears, we laughed, and we yearned to be loved in the same manner. It is precisely what the world needs at this moment. This genuine perspective opens the portal to an intimate language we all comprehend. We experience the vibrant heartbeat of the main character's inner life, and when it erupts, it envelops us with its warmth. We present the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic to ‘Sabar Bonda’ (Cactus Pears).”
Producer Neeraj Churi commented, “We are privileged to be the first Indian fiction film to win the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. This recognition is a testament to Rohan’s vision and the skilled team that collaborated to realize it. Sabar Bonda is a narrative rooted in Maharashtra, but the themes of grief and love are universal. We eagerly anticipate bringing the film back to India and sharing it with the rest of the globe.”
