Jio Studios and Manish Malhotra’s Stage5 Production proudly announce the World Premiere of their poignant coming-of-age drama Bun Tikki at the prestigious Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) on 5 January 2025, in California.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Faraz Arif Ansari, known for their inclusive and pathbreaking works such as Sisak and Sheer Qorma, Bun Tikki marks their feature directorial debut. The film stars legendary actors Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, and Abhay Deol, alongside Nushrratt Bharuccha and child actor Rohaan Singh.
Bun Tikki follows the heartfelt journey of seven-year-old Shanu and his single father, Sidhant. While Shanu struggles with self-discovery in the face of societal challenges, Sidhant grapples with grief and societal expectations as he strives to understand his child. The film delves deep into themes of parenthood, resilience, and love, presenting a compelling exploration of family dynamics and identity.
Ansari expressed their excitement about the premiere:
“This iconic festival has always been a beacon for independent filmmakers and bold storytelling, and I am beyond excited that our film is part of such a phenomenal lineup. Bun Tikki is my love letter to the world—to every child, every parent, and everyone who believes in the transformative power of love, empathy, and kindness.”
The director hopes the film sparks conversations that break barriers and bridge differences. “Here’s to always making cinema that transcends boundaries and inspires us to imagine a brighter, better, more inclusive tomorrow,” Ansari added.
The film is produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Dinesh Malhotra, Marijke deSouza, and Manish Malhotra under the banner of Stage5 Production, Malhotra’s creative venture into filmmaking. This marks the second global festival outing for the Jio Studios-Stage5 partnership, following Saali Mohabbat’s premiere at IFFI 2024.
Malhotra spoke about the project’s universal resonance:
“As a producer, it’s an honour to contribute to a project that challenges conventions, tells an authentic story, and connects with audiences on a universal scale. I am incredibly proud of Faraz for bringing this vision to life and eagerly look forward to how the world embraces this heartfelt film.”
Jyoti Deshpande, President of Media and Entertainment at Reliance Industries Limited, lauded the film’s courageous storytelling:
“Supporting Bun Tikki is not just an endorsement of its artistic merit but a celebration of the courage it takes to share stories that challenge and inspire.”
As Bun Tikki prepares to take centre stage at PSIFF 2025, it stands as a testament to the power of cinema to transcend boundaries, ignite conversations, and inspire change. The festival, renowned for spotlighting independent films and bold narratives, promises to be the perfect platform for this emotional and thought-provoking tale.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival runs from 4–15 January 2025.