Prolific Singapore-based production firm Akanga Film Asia has come on board Indian director Rima Das’ upcoming “Malati, My Love.”
Das, who is known for her touching dramas from Assam in Northeast India, has become a regular of the international festival circuit. Recent titles include “Village Rockstars” and “Tora’s Husband.”
The new film, which was launched at last year’s Asian Project Market in Busan, will shoot by 2025. Producer credits will go to Das and Akanga chief Fran Borgia.
The story sees theater actors Apurva and Malati’s unyielding love shattered when Apurva’s imprisonment and malicious gossip brand Malati a cursed outcast. Determined to reclaim her life she once shared with Apurva, Malati navigates a path between societal judgment and womanhood, according to a synopsis provided.
“In contrast to my prior films that were characterized by rawness, ‘Malati, My Love’ is an atmospheric creation that intricately unravels emotions, drawn out in an intentional and designed approach. Ultimately, ‘Malati, My Love’ represents a tale of love and yearning, and the essence of womanhood against the backdrop of Assam,” said Das. “Through this film, I aim to explore how a married couple living in a small-town challenge society’s perceptions about love, marriage and the role of women.”
“We have followed Rima’s works for years, and it’s with great pleasure that we are collaborating on this very personal story. Rima’s eye for detail on stories with a strong woman’s point of view makes her very unique as a filmmaker coming from India, and we are proud to champion this together,” said Borgia.
Akanga has recently announced two other co-productions with India: Aakash Chhabra’s “I Will Smile in September” and Deyali Mukherjee’s “Notun Gur.” The company has previous credits on other recent standout titles from Asia, including Busan New Currents title “Oasis of Now,” Toronto Platform prize-winner “Yuni” and Locarno Golden Leopard-winner “A Land Imagined.”
Das writes, shoots, directs, edits and produces her own films.She produces via her Flying River Films and her films have played at more than 120 film festivals, including Toronto and Berlin.
“The realization has dawned on me that, as a solo producer, I can’t bear the weight of the film alone. Many independent films suffer from a lack of production value and promotion, whereas studio films have the means to expand the canvas, enhance visibility, and reach broader audiences,” she said.
