Kiran Rao’s production banner Kindling Pictures is backing commercial director Bosco Bhandarkar’s feature directorial debut Shadow Hill: Of Spirits and Men, which has been selected for the WAVES Film Bazaar co-production market.
Bazaar is part of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) market.
The film follows two men on a treasure hunt in Goa. One seeks to uncover hidden truths, the other seeks an escape from the monotony of life. A mysterious woman who tells a story from her past helps two men solve the problem. Set against the backdrop of Goa’s transformation from a quiet coastal area to an urban centre, the story blends moments of comedy and tragedy while exploring themes of memory, loss and human relationships.
“The idea is to find love as a force against cynicism,” says Bhandarkar, who drew inspiration from childhood summer vacations spent in his ancestral home in a Goan village. “We live in a time where we want faith in humanity, and we hope our film helps reflect that in small, beautiful ways.”
The director said he wanted to tackle the ecological destruction caused by the rapid growth of Goa’s real estate market and political corruption, noting that “the very concept of time and space has changed dramatically and is not in the best interest of the local population today.”
Mr. Rao, who co-founded Kindling Pictures with producer Tanaji Dasgupta, has known Mr. Bhandarkar for over 25 years. “His perspective is unusual, mischievous, and very human,” says Rao. “Through humor and irony, he is able to peel back the surface of everyday life and reveal its hidden layers, often through striking and poetic images.”
Bhandarkar has spent most of his career directing commercials. He describes himself as a daydreamer who loves “movies made by filmmakers whose satchels are stuffed with empathy.”
At Film Bazaar, Kindling Pictures is seeking co-producers, financiers and film financing. The company has invested 25% of its budget and is looking to raise additional funding while partnering with strategic partners to help realize Bhandarkar’s vision.
“We believe this work embodies a rare balance of humor, poignancy and danger,” Rao said. “We are very excited about this film because it promises to be an extraordinary cinematic experience,” adds Dasgupta.
