- Difficult Daughters, produced by Alia Bhatt and directed by Soni Razdan, is selected for APM 2025 at BIFF.
- Payal Kapadia backs The Last of Them Plagues, directed by Kunjila Mascillamani, spotlighting Indian indie cinema.
- The Asian Project Market received a record 455 submissions from 44 countries, selecting just 30 visionary projects.
Bollywood star Alia Bhatt takes a bold leap behind the scenes with her production Difficult Daughters, directed by her mother, veteran actress Soni Razdan.
Meanwhile, acclaimed filmmaker Payal Kapadia, celebrated for her Cannes success All We Imagine As Light, lends her production support to The Last of Them Plagues by Kunjila Mascillamani.
From Mumbai to Busan: Indian Stories Take Center Stage at 2025 Asian Project Market
Alia Bhatt’s Difficult Daughters is a significant moment in her career—not just as a performer but as a force in independent cinema. The film explores layered female relationships and societal expectations through a lens of personal reflection. Directed by her mother, the film has an intergenerational dynamic both on and off screen, which is likely to resonate deeply with global audiences.
Kunjila Mascillamani’s The Last of Them Plagues represents the collaborative spirit of India’s independent film circuit. With Payal Kapadia and Kani Kusruti steering the production, the film brings together voices that have consistently challenged traditional narratives. Its inclusion in APM shows growing international appetite for stories that grapple with contemporary social dilemmas.
Another highlight is The Magical Men, a multi-country co-production directed by Biplob Sarkar. It explores queer identities across Asian cultures, contributing to the broader LGBTQ+ dialogue within cinema. This project reinforces BIFF’s commitment to inclusion and storytelling that crosses both geographical and ideological borders.
Notably, Moon, by Indian filmmaker Pradip Kurbah, also made it to the APM lineup. Known for blending regional folklore with modern themes, Kurbah returns to Busan after previously winning the Jiseok Award in 2019. These selections mark a strong Indian presence in a competitive field, showcasing the country’s expanding influence in international independent film spaces.
With a dynamic mix of visionaries and fresh voices, India’s presence at the 2025 APM highlights a creative shift toward globally resonant, socially conscious storytelling.
“Cinema is the most beautiful fraud in the world.” — Jean-Luc Godard
