Huma Qureshi (‘Gangs of Wasseypur’) has finished filming the lead role in the police drama ‘Bayan’ (The Testimony) and is participating in the Asian Project Market in Busan.
The film is directed by Vikas Ranjan Mishra, whose debut feature Chauranga won awards at the Indian Film Festival in Los Angeles and the Mumbai Film Festival. It is a joint production of Shiladitya Bora’s Platoon One Films, Madhu Sharma’s Summit Studios and producers Kunal Kumar and Anshuman Singh. Bora is known for supporting roles in films such as ‘Newton’ (India’s 2018 Oscar winner) and ‘Picasso’ (Prime Video India’s first direct-to-digital acquisition in Marathi).
The film centers around a female detective who investigates her first case as a lead investigator in a small town in Rajasthan. As she seeks to live up to her father’s legendary reputation in law enforcement, she faces significant challenges due to her adversary’s entrenched influence within the system.
The cast includes Chandrachul Singh (‘Maachis’), Sachin Khedekar (‘Sita Ramam’), Abhijit Dutt (‘Piku’), Champa Mandal (‘Sonchiriya’), Preity Shukla, Vibhoor Mayank, Aditi Kanchan Singh is also included.
Mishra told Variety magazine: The story is set in a rural area where there is no internet or social media. To make matters worse, women are confronting an abusive system that benefits from those who control the country’s power structures. ”
“‘Bayan’ is a harsh critique of the patriarchy that is ingrained in our society. I don’t want to convey a message, but how it affects us on a deeper emotional level. I want the audience to feel that I am giving something,” Mishra added.
Qureshi, who is playing a cop for the first time, said, “I choose stories that resonate with me. I always want to dabble in different genres…and if it helps me experiment as an actor, I’d like to be a part of it.” When I heard about Bayaan, I was intrigued by the setting, the characters, the story of the film, and the filmmaker’s genuine passion to bring this story to the forefront.”
“I wanted to understand what it means to be a protector who is part of the system and helps bring about justice. ‘Bayan’ explores a new side of me as an actor. Not only did it help me, but it also gave me an education on what it means to be a law enforcement officer in a small town in Rajasthan,” Qureshi added.
Director Bora said, “I strongly believe that ‘Bayan’ is a global film. Its universal themes and compelling story make it a strong contender for prestigious international film festivals. At Platoon One Films, we are always looking for that one script that will be a breakthrough film for everyone involved. Our job is to support the director’s vision and take us along. Our motto is “New Stories, New Voices.” Bayan embodies this spirit perfectly. ”
Commenting on the goals of the Busan Asia project market, Bora said, “Our focus is to maximize the value of our existing film slate, acquire new projects that align with our motto, and develop strategies to enhance our position globally.” The goal is to build a partnership between the two countries.”
The project was supported by the Rotterdam International Film Festival’s Hubert Valls Foundation and was developed at the LA Residency, part of Film Independent’s Global Media Makers Program. During his stay, Mishra was mentored by Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and received script advice from screenwriter Jeff Stockwell and story editor Ruth Atkinson.
Principal photography wrapped in early September and the film is currently in post-production under editor A. Sreekar Prasad.
Vikas Ranjan Mishra, Shiladitya Bora
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