Washington D.C., USA – July 24, 2025 – Acclaimed director Anurag Kashyap is set to present Anuparna Roy’s feature directorial debut, ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees,’ which will have its world premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. Variety reports that this human drama is India’s only selection in Venice’s Horizons strand, placing it among notable previous Indian films like Chaitanya Tamhane’s ‘Court’ and Karan Tejpal’s ‘Stolen.’
The Mumbai-set film stars Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel. It’s produced by Bibhanshu Rai, Romil Modi, and Ranjan Singh, with co-production credits going to Navin Shetty and Roy herself.
According to Variety, ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’ follows Thooya, a migrant and aspiring actress who navigates Mumbai by leveraging her beauty and wit, sometimes trading intimacy for opportunity. Her life takes a turn when she sublets her sugar daddy’s upscale apartment to Swetha, a fellow migrant working a corporate job. These two women from seemingly different worlds begin sharing more than just living space. Amidst Mumbai’s relentless pace, they discover a silent empathy. However, their personal histories and past wounds test this delicate connection in what the synopsis describes as “a strange and tender unfolding – of selfhood, of survival, of unexpected kinship.”
Kashyap expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I have always believed in backing new talent, especially those who want to say something different, challenge the set norms by their ideas and beliefs.” He added, “Ranjan and I have been associated with multiple such films over the years, and it’s amazing to see such raw talent continuously coming up. Anuparna is definitely one such voice and we feel proud and happy to back her first feature.”
Films where Kashyap and Singh have teamed up as producers include ‘Little Thomas’ and the Berlin title ‘Tiger’s Pond.’ Kashyap’s endorsement comes as his own latest feature, ‘Bandar’ (Monkey in a Cage), starring Bobby Deol and Sanya Malhotra, prepares for its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival.