Acclaimed Marathi film marks a historic milestone for Indian cinema, backed by leading filmmakers as Executive Producers
Mumbai, September 17, 2025: Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears), the first-ever Indian fiction feature to win the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, is set for a nationwide theatrical release on September 19, 2025. The much-anticipated Marathi film, written and directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, unveiled its trailer today at a special press event in Mumbai.
Distributed in India by Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media, which previously brought the Cannes Grand Prix winner All We Imagine as Light to audiences, Sabar Bonda has already made history on the global stage. Selected from nearly 17,000 submissions worldwide, it was India’s only film in competition at Sundance and the first Marathi-language feature to premiere at the festival.
The film follows Anand, a city-dweller navigating grief and family expectations, who returns to his ancestral village for a 10-day mourning ritual. Amidst the rugged landscapes of western India, he reconnects with Balya, a childhood friend, uncovering shared struggles and fragile bonds of love and companionship. The ensemble cast features Bhushaan Manoj, Suraaj Suman, and Jayshri Jagtap.
Executive Producers Champion the Film
Renowned filmmakers Nagraj Manjule, Nikkhil Advani, Saie Tamhankar, and Vikramaditya Motwane have joined as Executive Producers, underscoring the cultural significance of Sabar Bonda and amplifying its reach across India.
Speaking on the achievement, Executive Producer Nikkhil Advani said:
> “What Sabar Bonda has achieved is historic. To become the first-ever Indian fiction feature to win at Sundance is not just a milestone, it marks a turning point for Indian cinema on the global stage. Sundance is where some of the most iconic voices of world cinema—Christopher Nolan, Wes Anderson, the Coen Brothers—were first discovered, and now, through Rohan and Sabar Bonda, India stands on that same map of discovery and credibility.”
He added:
> “The honour has gone to a story that portrays India with rare honesty and affection—an India where tradition and progress co-exist. It is deeply rooted in our soil, yet universal in resonance. Rohan Kanawade represents the very best of a new generation of storytellers. His journey from humble beginnings to Sundance is a reminder of why we make films: to connect, to move, to endure.”
A Global Collaborative Effort
Developed under the Venice Biennale College Cinema 2022–2023 and the NFDC Marathi Script Camp, Sabar Bonda was showcased at global industry platforms including the Film London Production Finance Market, Film Bazaar Co-Production Market, Venice Gap Financing Market, and Goes to Cannes.
The film is produced by Neeraj Churi (UK), Mohamed Khaki (Canada), Kaushik Ray (UK), Naren Chandavarkar (India), Sidharth Meer (India), and Hareesh Reddypalli (India), with co-producer Neha Kaul, acclaimed actor Jim Sarbh, and associate producer Rajesh Parwatkar.
Alongside its Indian release, Sabar Bonda has secured North American distribution through Strand Releasing, known for championing arthouse cinema, while MPM Premium is managing global sales.
About Sabar Bonda
Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears) is a landmark Marathi film that tells a universal story of loss, love, and companionship against the backdrop of rural India. With its historic win at Sundance and support from leading Indian filmmakers, the film marks a pivotal moment for Indian cinema’s global recognition.
