As a seasoned movie critic with a soft spot for films that delve deep into human struggles and cultural complexities, I find myself intrigued by Raja Krishna Menon‘s latest production, “Harbir.” The story of a young Sikh boy grappling with societal expectations and personal choices resonates profoundly with my own experiences as an immigrant navigating the intricate tapestry of cultural identities.


As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share my perspective on “Harbir,” the first feature film of the talented director, Angad Bawa. This captivating production is under the banner of Raja Krishna Menon’s Bandra West Pictures and has been selected for presentation at Film Bazaar in Goa. I can’t wait to see it unfold on the big screen!

The movie centers around Harbir, a 15-year-old Sikh youth, who receives an opportunity to try out for admission at Mumbai’s esteemed Bombay International School of Swimming. At the trial, questions arise about his long hair, potentially necessitating a haircut with parental approval. Facing this dilemma, Harbir encounters resistance from both his family and the broader Sikh community, who see his potential action as an affront to their faith and identity.

The project is inspired by Bawa’s own experiences as a competitive swimmer who was also a Sikh. Through the character Harbir, Bawa aims to present an alternative storyline that doesn’t promote a specific ideology but rather delves into the internal conflict of a character dealing with societal pressures and their right to make individual decisions freely, as explained to EbMaster.

Menon, famous for helming “Airlift” featuring Akshay Kumar and the Bollywood remake of Jon Favreau’s film “Chef,” starring Saif Ali Khan, expressed his fascination with the universal aspects in Bawa’s narrative. He stated, “Every individual grapples with the dilemmas of the decisions they need to make and the consequences these decisions may have not only on themselves but also those close to them.

2024 saw our project triumph at the Ford Foundation’s Writer’s INK Screenplay Lab. Now, we’re actively searching for global collaborators at Film Bazaar. Menon expressed that he feels this movie should resonate globally, not just in India or its diaspora. Our goal is to identify partners who can assist us in distributing the film to a wide and varied audience through film festivals and international markets.

The project kickoff is set for September 2025, aiming for a finish by mid-2026.

Previously, Bawa was the director of short films “Unresolved” and “Take 2,” which were showcased at more than 25 international film festivals. Up next for Menon are two directorial ventures in Hindi and Malayalam languages, followed by a “one-of-a-kind sci-fi project.

From November 20th to 24th, Film Bazaar serves as the market segment for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which takes place from November 20th to 28th in Goa. In simpler terms, during these specific dates, Film Bazaar is a part of the larger International Film Festival of India that happens annually in Goa.

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2024-11-23 14:19