
Anurag Kashyap Supports Songs Of Forgotten Trees, India's Official Entry to Venice Film Festival
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has extended his support to Songs of Forgotten Trees, a powerful new film by debutant director Anuparna Roy, by joining the project as presenter. The film has earned a significant milestone, being the only Indian title selected for a world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. The festival is scheduled to take place from August 27 to September 6 at Venice Lido, Italy.
Songs of Forgotten Trees will be screened in the Orizzonti section, which showcases global cinema that reflects fresh voices, innovative styles, and independent storytelling. The film stars Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel in lead roles and is produced by Bibhanshu Rai, Romil Modi, and Ranjan Singh, with co-production by Navin Shetty and Roy herself.
Kashyap, known for championing emerging voices in Indian cinema, said in a statement: 'I have always believed in backing new talent, especially those who want to say something different, challenge the set norms by their ideas and beliefs… Anuparna is definitely one such voice and we feel proud and happy to back her first feature."
Set in Mumbai, the film explores the evolving dynamic between two migrant women—Thooya, an aspiring actress navigating the city's chaos through charm and survival instincts, and Swetha, a corporate professional who becomes her unexpected housemate. According to the official synopsis, what begins as a shared living arrangement slowly unfolds into a deeper connection shaped by empathy, vulnerability, and past traumas.
Roy, who self-financed the film while juggling three corporate jobs, said the narrative was deeply personal. 'Despite having one of the largest film industries in the world by volume, we rarely tell stories of the marginalised—of those excluded by class, caste, and gender," she shared. The story was born from Roy's search for her childhood friend Jhuma Nath, a survivor of child marriage. 'This film carries her memories," Roy added.
(With inputs from PTI)
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