Unveiling Anuparna Roy's Directorial Debut, "Songs of Forgotten Trees", at Venice Film Festival

Acclaimed Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap is providing a significant boost to upcoming talent by supporting Anuparna Roy’s debut film “Songs of Forgotten Trees”. The film is set to have its first screening at the prestigious 82nd Venice Film Festival. The film, a poignant human drama, is the only film representing India in the Horizons category at the Venice festival, a distinction previously held by films including Chaitanya Tamhane’s “Court” and Karan Tejpal’s “Stolen”, which recently premiered on Prime Video.

The film, set in Mumbai and featuring Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel, is produced by Bibhanshu Rai, Romil Modi and Ranjan Singh. It also sees co-production by Navin Shetty and Roy herself. “Songs of Forgotten Trees” narrates the journey of Thooya, a migrant who dreams of becoming an actress. Leveraging her beauty and intelligence, she navigates Mumbai's complexities, occasionally offering intimacy in exchange for opportunities. When she rents out her wealthy admirer's upscale apartment to Swetha, another migrant, the duo start sharing more than just accommodation. Caught in the whirlwind life of Mumbai, they see empathy in silence as their personal histories and emotional scars challenge their unique bond.

Kashyap, affirming his support for new talent, expressed his joy over backing such unique voices such as Anuparna Roy's, especially those challenging the status quo with refreshingly distinct ideas and convictions. Kashyap and Singh have previously co-produced several films known for their raw talent, including “Little Thomas” and Berlin's feature film “Tiger’s Pond”.

Roy, who initially funded her project while balancing three corporate jobs in Mumbai, is vocal about her attraction to stories that mainstream cinema often overlooks. She takes pride in narrating tales of the marginalised, those sidelined due to their social class, caste, or gender. Through her work, Roy hopes to give voice to those unheard, providing comfort and maybe even inspiring some. Her debut film is an ode to her childhood friend Jhuma Nath, who was a victim of child marriage, and it carries the memory of her struggles. Singh from Flip Films has described Roy as a “unique voice” in the industry.