'Pyre' Ignites Bengaluru Film Festival: A Tale of Grit and Love

National Award-winning director Vinod Kapri's film 'Pyre' is opening the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival. Based on a true story from Uttarakhand, it stars locals Padam Singh and Hira Devi. Gulzar contributed a song, and the film, produced by Bhagirathi Films, will tour global festivals before its India release.

Vinod Kapri, a National Award-winning filmmaker, is set to open the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival with his latest movie, 'Pyre'.

Set in the picturesque yet troubled land of Uttarakhand, 'Pyre' is a melancholic ballad of enduring love amidst adversity. It gained international acclaim by winning the Audience Award at the 2024 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

Inspired by the true story of an elderly couple in the migration-affected village of Munsyari, Kapri chose to cast local non-actors Padam Singh and Hira Devi, eschewing renowned actors Naseeruddin and Ratna Pathak Shah to maintain authenticity.

This poignant narrative has been enhanced by the lyrical touch of India's eminent lyricist, Gulzar. The film, produced independently by Vinod Kapri and Sakshi Joshi through Bhagirathi Films, seeks to captivate audiences worldwide before its domestic release, anticipated later this year.

The Bengaluru International Film Festival runs from March 1 to 8, 2025.