MUMBAI: The much-anticipated teaser for Shadowbox (Baksho Bondi) was unveiled today, offering an emotional and visually stunning glimpse into a poignant tale of love, resilience, and survival. The Bengali-language drama, directed by debut filmmakers Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi, has earned a coveted spot in the Perspectives section at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it will compete among groundbreaking new films from across the globe.
Starring National Award-winning actor Tillotama Shome as Maya, alongside Chandan Bisht, Sayan Karmakar, and Suman Saha in powerful roles, Shadowbox (Baksho Bondi) tells the moving story of Maya—a woman navigating multiple jobs while caring for her teenage son and her husband, a retired soldier struggling with PTSD. When he mysteriously disappears, Maya embarks on an intense journey of survival, challenging the limits of love and endurance.
A Story Rooted in Strength and Survival
Speaking about the film, Tanushree Das shared, "With Shadowbox (Baksho Bondi), we wanted to explore the invisible battles fought within families—the quiet endurance of women, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the struggles of survival in an unforgiving world. Maya’s journey mirrors the resilience of countless women who fight against the odds to hold their families together."
Co-director Saumyananda Sahi added, "The teaser is just a small window into the world of our film. We set out to create a cinematic experience that immerses audiences, making them feel every moment alongside our characters. We hope the story resonates as deeply with viewers as it did with us while making it."
A Collective Vision of Independent Cinema
A true feat of collaborative filmmaking, Shadowbox (Baksho Bondi) was brought to life by a remarkable team of 17 producers, each contributing their passion and expertise to shape this powerful narrative.
In a joint statement, the producers remarked, "Our journey with Shadowbox (Baksho Bondi) is a testament to the strength of community-based filmmaking. This film proves that bold, independent storytelling can transcend borders and speak to the heart of the human experience."
With its world premiere at Berlinale, Shadowbox (Baksho Bondi) marks a significant moment for Indian independent cinema, paving the way for deeply personal yet universally resonant stories to find their audience on a global stage.
Key Credits:
Directors: Tanushree Das, Saumyananda Sahi
Screenplay & Cinematography: Saumyananda Sahi
Editing: Tanushree Das
Music: Benedict Taylor, Naren Chandavarkar
Sound Design: Gautam Nair
Costumes & Production Design: Mausam Aggarwal
Meet the Filmmakers:
Tanushree Das began her journey in theatre before graduating from FTII, Pune, with a Diploma in Film Editing. Her work has been showcased at prestigious festivals such as Berlin, Locarno, and Busan. Most recently, she edited Shankar’s Fairies, which won the Montgolfière d’Argent at Festival des 3 Continents, Nantes.
Saumyananda Sahi studied philosophy at St. Stephen’s College before joining FTII for cinematography. His work spans fiction and documentary projects that have been screened and awarded at Cannes, Berlin, Sundance, and Rotterdam. He was also a BAFTA Breakthrough India selectee in 2022. His recent work includes All That Breathes (Academy Award nominee) and Netflix’s Black Warrant.
About the Producers:
The film is produced by Naren Chandavarkar (Moonweave Films), Shaunak Sen & Aman Mann (Kiterabbit Films), Saumyananda Sahi, and executive producers Jim Sarbh (Wonderful Entertainment), Vikramaditya Motwane (Andolan Films), and Nikkhil Advani (Sumitra Gupta Foundation for the Arts). The film also boasts a diverse lineup of co-producers, including Tillotama Shome, Dheer Momaya (Jugaad Motion Pictures), Sidharth Meer (Bridge PostWorks), Dominique Welinski & Isabelle Glachant (Shasha & Co), Prashant Nair (Nomad Media & Entertainment), Anjali Patil (Anahat Films), Anu Rangachar (Gratitude Films), Ishaan Chandhok (Criss Cross Content), and Shruti Ganguly (honto88).
Perspectives at Berlinale: A New Platform for Visionary Filmmakers
The newly introduced Perspectives competition at Berlinale aims to highlight first-time feature filmmakers by selecting up to 14 fiction debuts from around the world. A jury of three will decide the Best First Feature Award, which carries a prize of €50,000, funded by GWFF (Gesellschaft zur Wahrnehmung von Film- und Fernsehrechten). The winning film’s prize money will be shared between its producers and directors, further supporting fresh cinematic voices.
To read more about this new section, visit: Berlinale Perspectives Announcement
Film Details:
Languages: Bengali & Hindi (with English subtitles)
Runtime: 93 minutes (1 hour 33 minutes)
World Premiere: 75th Berlin International Film Festival, Perspectives Section
Follow Shadowbox (Baksho Bondi) on Instagram: @bakshobondifilmFor Press Inquiries in India, contact:
With its heartfelt storytelling, powerful performances, and international recognition, Shadowbox (Baksho Bondi) is set to make a lasting impact at Berlinale and beyond!
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