Paro – The Untold Story of Bride Slavery, starring Taha Shah Badussha, has officially entered the Oscars Contention List for the 98th Academy Awards, marking a significant step in the film’s international journey.
The film has been enlisted among a select group of international titles that have met the Academy’s qualification criteria, making it eligible for consideration across categories in the 2026 awards cycle.
Directed by Gajendra Ahire and produced by Trupti Bhoir and Sandesh Sharda, Paro is a socially driven drama that focuses on the issue of bride trafficking and forced marriage in India. The film also stars Trupti Bhoir and veteran actor Govind Namdeo, and has been noted on the international circuit for its restrained and compassionate, issue-led storytelling.
Since its release, Paro has travelled widely, with screenings at the Cannes Film Festival as well as at Oxford University and Harvard University. The film has also been showcased across cities including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington and Mumbai, and has received accolades at various film festivals in Norway, Chicago, Holland and Los Angeles.
At its core, the film positions itself as a quiet yet powerful act of resistance, bringing attention to the realities of bride slavery and giving voice to women whose stories often remain unheard. Its inclusion on the Oscars Contention List reflects a growing global appetite for purpose-driven cinema that combines social urgency with artistic integrity, placing Paro firmly within the international independent cinema conversation.
Speaking about the film, Taha Shah Badussha said: “I truly believe cinema began as a tool for social change. Somewhere along the way, we leaned heavily into entertainment, which is important, but stories like this remind us of cinema’s original power.”
He added: “Without preaching or forcing anything, cinema can make you feel, inform you, and then step back and allow you to reflect. Not every film needs to carry a message, but when it does, it should be handled responsibly. Cinema can touch hearts in ways no other medium can.”