Express Film Club by SCREEN hosts screening of Rima Das's Village Rockstars 2; audience calls it ‘life-like' and deeply relevant

Indian Express

22-04-2025

National Award-winning filmmaker Rima Das, known for carving a distinct space in Indian indie cinema with films like Village Rockstars, Bulbul Can Sing and Tora's Husband, continues to shine on the global festival circuit with her latest — Village Rockstars 2. The sequel to her acclaimed 2017 film was screened this week at Express Film Club by SCREEN, where the event was held at India Habitat Centre, Delhi.
The evening began with film critic Shubhra Gupta introducing the film to the audience. Gupta lauded Rima Das as a true auteur — someone who writes, directs, shoots, edits, and even handles production design herself. 'She's practically a one-woman crew,' Gupta said, adding that the sequel is not just a coming-of-age tale, but also an ethnographic exploration of the land and community Rima belongs to.
Following the screening, Gupta moderated a discussion with the audience, many of whom were visibly moved. One viewer, impressed by the film's striking visual language, asked about the near-invisible camera presence in the narrative. 'That's the magic of Rima's cinema,' Gupta responded. 'Her framing is so organic that you forget you're watching a constructed film.'
The crowd included several Assamese viewers who praised the film for its deeply rooted and authentic portrayal of Assam. 'It felt like a painting, a reflection of our home,' said one audience member. Another viewer appreciated how the film tackled pressing issues like illegal land acquisition and deforestation, effortlessly weaving them into the story.
The audience included several Assamese viewers who lauded the film for its authentic and heartfelt portrayal of their homeland.
Village Rockstars 2 picks up where the original left off. Dhunu, the spirited protagonist from the first film, is now an adolescent facing a harsher world — her land under threat from a corrupt broker, her mother ailing, and her own dreams of music still flickering amid mounting challenges. The film, shot in Rima's signature intimate style, continues to explore themes of resilience, community, and identity.
While the Indian release date for the film is yet to be announced, the Delhi audience was grateful for the early screening. Several attendees praised Express Film Club for consistently championing meaningful cinema that resonates with contemporary issues.