The New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) is set to host the world premiere of “Kaisi Ye Paheli” (What Kind of Riddle is This?), the debut feature film penned and directed by Ananyabrata Chakravorty. This dark comedy-murder mystery, starring Sukant Goel of “Kaala Paani” fame, along with veteran actors Sadhana Singh and Rajit Kapur, is slated to screen on June 21st, offering audiences a first look at this intriguing tale set in the hills of Northeast India.
“Kaisi Ye Paheli” unfolds in the quaint hill town of Shottipur, where Ma, a warm and cultured sixty-year-old widow, lives with her thirty-something son, Uttam, a policeman. Eight years after the death of Uttam’s father, also a policeman, Ma finds herself lonely, yearning for connection with her son. However, Uttam dismisses her as a simple homemaker, oblivious to her intelligence and past contributions to his father’s cases.
Their strained relationship takes a turn when 19-year-old Ishita is found murdered. Uttam joins the inexperienced local police team tasked with solving the crime. The ruling party, eager to maintain Shottipur’s image as a peaceful tourist destination, pressures Uttam’s boss, Tamang, to quickly close the case, ideally as a suicide, before an upcoming launch event. Ma, however, sees an opportunity to connect with Uttam. She logically refutes the suicide theory, impressing Tamang, a former trainee of her late husband who admired her skills.
Tamang recruits Ma to assist in the investigation. While Ma shines, Uttam stubbornly refuses to acknowledge her worth. The situation becomes personal when a second murder occurs – this time, someone close to Ma. A seasoned detective, Bondo, takes over the case, barring Ma from the station. Undeterred, Ma continues her pursuit of the killer alone, risking her life, while her relationship with Uttam remains fraught. The film promises to unravel the “who, why, and how” of this gripping mystery, exploring themes of resilience, redemption, and a mother’s unwavering spirit.
Ananyabrata Chakravorty, the writer-director, who has previously directed short films and authored a novel, expressed his delight at the film’s selection for NYIFF. He stated that the film is an attempt to observe a mother more as a human being with universal desires for love, care, and respect from her child. “Kaisi Ye Paheli” has been selected in the competition section of NYIFF and nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Debut Film, marking a significant validation for Chakravorty’s debut feature.
The film stars Sukant Goel as the son, Sadhana Singh as the mother, Rajit Kapur as the detective Bondo, and Chittaranjan Giri as Tamang. Produced by Take Pictures, founded by Chakravorty and Nishu Dikshit, “Kaisi Ye Paheli” is anticipated to be a compelling addition to NYIFF’s diverse lineup.
Key Highlights:
- Ananyabrata Chakravorty’s debut film “Kaisi Ye Paheli” will have its world premiere at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) on June 21st.
- The film is a dark comedy-murder mystery set in Northeast India, starring Sukant Goel, Sadhana Singh, and Rajit Kapur.
- It revolves around a lonely mother who gets involved in a murder investigation to bond with her dismissive policeman son.
- “Kaisi Ye Paheli” is nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Debut Film at NYIFF.