SABAR BONDA
A touching, beautifully observed rural drama about a city-dweller who returns to his village for his father’s funeral, observes the 10-day mourning period and associated rituals, all the while wrestling with what his family think about him.
Anand (Bhushaan Manoj), a 30-something living in Mumbai is compelled to spend a 10-day mourning period for his father in the rugged countryside of western India. Grief's common phases (reminiscing over old photos, sharing beloved memories) coexist with local rituals, all while Anand's hidden desires materialize in a rekindled friendship with childhood companion Balya (Suraaj Suman) who is being pushed, even more relentlessly, towards marriage. Anand’s mother Suman (Jaysri Jagtap) knows why he went away, and why he has never married, but despite her acceptance, he still feels guilt over the way that he has complicated their lives; and he struggles with being in a place where, for fear of making Suman’s life harder at this already difficult time, he cannot be honest about who he is. In giving way to her pleas that he remains to lead the ten days of funerary rights, ensuring the safe progression of his father’s soul, he commits himself to rebuilding their relationship and to once again enduring the pressures that made him miserable in the past. This is a thoughtful, lyrical ode to a disappearing way of life, full of respect for its contributions to modern, urban India. Beautifully shot, and presented on screen within a 1980’s photo style border with rounded corners, further adding to the feel of a place lost in time. (Subtitles)
India 2025 Rohan Kanawade 112m
