VOIWORLD
The 25th anniversary edition of the New York Indian Film Festival kicked off at New York’s Angelika.
The New York Indian Film Festival takes place between June 20-22, 2025. Among the major ones screened at one of the leading showcases of independent Indian cinema include Anupam Kher’s first directing effort in two decades Tanvi the Great with leading actress Shubangi, Raam Reddy’s 2024 Berlinale selection The Fable Anurag Kashyap’s intense Hindi-language thriller Kennedy, Vinod Kapri’s Pyre-A Mountain of Love and Loss and Kaushal Oza’s directorial debut, the coming-of-age film Little Thomas
Tanvi the Great has debutant Subhangi Dutt in the lead role while Karan Tacker, Boman Irani and Anupam Kher also plays prominent role in the film which is set to release on July 18.
VOIWORLD spoke to the actor, director Anupam Kher in this exclusive interaction
At the festival there is a tribute to late Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal, with a 4K restoration of his 1976 landmark Manthan
Among one of the exceptional participants at the festival is Vinod Kapri’s Pyre that is the story of a fading elderly couple in a Himalayan village. The lives of Padam and Tulsi have been marked by loss and isolation as their children move away. When a letter arrives from their estranged son after decades, hope and resilience rekindle their spirit, revealing the unexpected ways life can ignite a new chapter. The story evokes emotions and at the same time gives a message of sustainability as existence of humans is necessary for the sustainability of mountains and the ecosystem and all the migration from there is not good. VOIWORLD spoke to the director Vinod Kapri who hails from the same Kumaon region where the majestic film was shot.
Hema, directed by Ritvik Dhavale is the story of a recently arrived immigrant woman in America who struggles with cultural displacement and redefining her identity as a dependent mother. An unexpected encounter with a young Marathi man challenges her fragile new life, sparking questions of belonging and selfhood.
VOIWORLD spoke to Ritvik Dhavale
Bengali actress Rituparna Sengupta attended the festival for The Ancient, Puratawn directed by Suman Ghosh with veteran actress Sharmila Tagore starring in her first Bengali film role in 14 years. VOIWORLD spoke to Rituparna Sengupta
There are veterans in the industry participating at the festival. Tirlok Malik who wears many hats. He is CEO, Filmmaker nominated by Emmy, a happy lifestyle speaker. He is also into ayurveda, Indian philosophy, yoga and laughter therapy. He shared with VOIWORLD his journey of participating in the American and Indian movie industry. He shares his insights on the industry.
What to watch at NYIFF 2025
Humans in the Loop – about a woman working for an AI company in rural Jharkhand.
Marching in the Dark – a documentary about widows in Maharashtra
Pyre: Story of a fading elderly couple in a Himalayan village. The lives of Padam and Tulsi have been marked by loss and isolation as their children move away
A Fly on the Wall– A powerful documentary about assisted suicide
Hema:Story of a recently arrived immigrant woman in America
The Fable: Set in the hill station of Uttarakhand with elements of magical realism.
