Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears), the first Indian fiction feature to win the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at Sundance 2025, has released its official trailer. Written and directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, the film will open in theatres across India on September 19, 2025, distributed by Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media, which also brought the Cannes Grand Prix winner All We Imagine as Light to Indian audiences.
Selected from 17,000 global submissions, Sabar Bonda was India’s only film in competition at Sundance and made history as the first Marathi-language feature to premiere at the festival.
Story of Loss and Rediscovery
Set in the rugged landscapes of western India, the film follows Anand, a man who returns to his ancestral village for a mourning ritual. What begins as obligation soon transforms into a journey of friendship, belonging, and suppressed desires as he reconnects with Balya, a childhood friend facing his own struggles. With moving performances from Bhushaan Manoj, Suraaj Suman, and Jayshri Jagtap, Sabar Bonda explores love, loss, and the fragile bonds of companionship.
With its universal themes and authentic storytelling, the film stands as both an intimate portrait of human connection and a milestone for Marathi cinema on the world stage.
Backed by Leading Filmmakers
The film has gained strong industry support with Nagraj Manjule, Nikkhil Advani, Saie Tamhankar, and Vikramaditya Motwane joining as Executive Producers.
Rana Daggubati, Spirit Media, said: “Sabar Bonda is a tender yet powerful film, deeply rooted in its characters while speaking to something universal. Winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance is a landmark moment for the film and for Indian cinema at large. With Sabar Bonda, Rohan has delivered a remarkable debut!”
Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, writer-director:“This film is a part of me. To see it grow from an idea to Sundance and now finally bringing it home is humbling. Partnering with Spirit Media and having incredible filmmakers like Nagraj, Nikkhil, Saie, and Vikramaditya support the film makes this journey even more meaningful.”
Industry Voices Celebrate Sabar Bonda
- Nagraj Manjule: “It fills me with pride to see a Marathi film break through on a world stage. Rohan’s storytelling is intimate yet expansive—this is the best of what our cinema can achieve.”
- Nikkhil Advani: “Sabar Bonda is cinema at its purest—authentic, universal, unforgettable. Films like this remind us why cinema matters.”
- Saie Tamhankar: “It’s a beautiful, tender story told with rare gentleness. I truly believe audiences will connect with its heart and honesty.”
- Vikramaditya Motwane: “Rohan has created something truly special. For a debut filmmaker to win Sundance’s Grand Jury Prize is extraordinary. I’m proud to support this landmark moment.”
A Global Achievement
Developed under the Venice Biennale College Cinema 2022–23, the film was showcased at Film Bazaar, London PFM, Venice Gap Financing Market, and Goes to Cannes. It is produced by Neeraj Churi (UK), Mohamed Khaki (Canada), Kaushik Ray (UK), Naren Chandavarkar (India), Sidharth Meer (India), Hareesh Reddypalli (India), with Neha Kaul as co-producer and actor Jim Sarbh also attached as producer.
The film will also release in North America through Strand Releasing, with MPM Premium handling global sales.
A Landmark Release for Indian Cinema
With its international acclaim and deeply moving storytelling, Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears) is poised to be one of the most significant Indian releases of 2025. The film not only showcases Marathi cinema to the world but also signals a new chapter of Indian storytelling embraced globally.
👉 Catch the official trailer of Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears) here:
The film is slated for its India release on September 19, 2025.
