20122025-LSTC-01.qxd 19-12-2025 19:59 Page 1 c m y b NOW A FILM ON LABUBU TOYS Paul King, the director of Wonka and Paddington, is set to direct the live-action feature based on beloved toys Labubu. King’s most recent film, Wonka, starring Timothee Chalamet, was a major box office success, earning $ 635 million globally. Mona M AINAK DHAR’S short film Nani continues its remarkable international journey after a recent screening at the Yellowstone International Film Festival 2025. Dhar’s creative roots trace back to Mumbai’s vibrant cinema culture before he eventually moved to Los Angeles. Rooted in memory, diaspora identity and intergenerational bonds, Nani has resonated with audiences across continents, from South-Asian to Latino communities in the US, who find in it echoes of their own family dynamics. Dhar’s film, shaped by years of observing immigrant life in California and revisiting the emotional imprints of his own grandmother. He reflects on the film’s festival journey, the intimate inspirations behind it and the evolving landscape of independent filmmaking in India and beyond. NANI IN MUMBAI Mumbai holds a special place in my heart because it’s really where my filmmaking journey began. I spent couple of years here working as an AD before moving to Los Angeles, and those early experiences shaped the way I think about storytelling. I also have many friends in the industry who are doing incredible work today, so coming back always feels like reconnecting with my creative roots. My first feature 417 Miles premiered at MAMI, so in many ways Mumbai has been part of every major milestone in my career. It’s my favourite city in India — no other city can match the energy of Mumbai. GLOBAL FESTIVAL JOURNEY What this festival journey has shown me is that Nani resonates with audiences from cultures where family is the emotional foundation of life. Because the film is centred on intergenerational bonds, especially the relationship with a grandmother, viewers who come from tight- TRIBUNE All set... Life Tracing the roots knit, tradition-rooted communities, respond almost instinctively to it. Living in California, I’ve noticed that aside from Bengali audiences, the most enthusiastic and vocal supporters of the film have been Latino viewers. Some of my favourite screenings so far have been in Texas and California, where Latino audiences laughed in the exact places I hoped they would, and got emotional at moments that were very personal to me. HOME AWAY FROM HOME FROM INCEPTION TO COMPLETION The biggest challenge we faced was actually the locations. We had three different options lined up for Nani’s family apartment, and all of them fell through for various reasons — availability, logistics, budget. At a certain point, instead of compromising on the look and feel of the film, I decided to turn my own apartment into the location. It was a huge pivot, but ultimately the right one. I was telling the story of a family living in Little Bangladesh in Los Angeles, but I myself grew up in India. So, while I understood the broader South-Asian sensibilities, I needed help capturing the specific details of a Muslim Bangladeshi household in the US. That’s where our producer, Humaira, was absolutely invaluable. CHANDIGARH | SATURDAY | 20 DECEMBER 2025 She not only advised me on the cultural nuances but also worked closely with our incredible production designer, Rohini, to transform my apartment into an authentic Bangladeshi home. FROM EDITOR TO DIRECTOR’S TABLE My background in editing, including From Beyond Bars, Nick News, shapes almost everything about how I direct. So, when I’m on set as a director, I’m already thinking several steps ahead — how will this cut together? What do I absolutely need for the scene to work? What can I let go of? Editing also makes you incredibly disciplined. You learn quickly what is essential and what is indulgent. m Nani is ar’s short fil rving Mainak Dh ars of obse e shaped by y in California and fe immigrant li emotional imprints e revisiting th wn grandmother of his o ROOTED YET UNIVERSALLY RELATABLE The inspiration for Nani came from a very personal place. My grandmother passed away in 2019, and during the lockdown that followed, I found myself thinking about the people who shaped me. That period of isolation created space for reflection, and the idea for the film — centred on memory and family — began to take shape. With so much downtime, I finally had the mental room to start writing. The actual production journey took a few more turns. In 2023, during the writers’ strike in Hollywood, I suddenly had another unexpected break from work. That pause gave me the chance to properly begin pre-production and commit to making the film. We eventually shot Nani in the summer of 2024. Mrunal Thakur attended the teaser launch of her upcoming film, Dacoit-Ek Prem Katha in Mumbai. The highoctane bilingual action drama, also starring Adivi Sesh, is set for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026. For immigrants like me, when you’re away from home, cultural identity becomes something you renegotiate constantly — what you hold on to, what you adapt, and what you quietly let go of. Those tensions naturally found their way into the film. Nani also comes from years of observing South Asian families in the US and how they navigate the intergenerational balance. c m y b STORIES OF THE WORLD Today, tools like iPhones, AI and social media have truly democratised the medium. My hope is that the next generation of filmmakers stays in cities like Chandigarh, tells the stories of their own communities, and shows the world the richness of the places they come from.