UK Asian Film Festival Hybrid Programme 2021

The 2021 UK Asian Film Festival presented by Tongues on Fire returns for its 23rd edition, with an exciting film programme.

Outside of India. UKAFF has the recognition of being the longest-running South Asian film festival in the world.

The festival in 2021 takes inspiration from the ‘Ray of Hope” theme.

“Resilience” and “bravery” are important assets to the festival, celebrating those who fight “oppression, injustice, inequality and division.”

The 2021 film programme includes special nuances, narratives and narrators that are striving to make a better world.

Hence, the movies that are showing promote positivity through “inclusivity, kindness and empathy.”

The UK Asian Film festival has a history of showcasing trailblazing female artists and creative filmmakers.

The festival will be running from May 26 to June 5, 2021.

London, Coventry and Leicester are hosting the venue screenings, with the virtual films showing at Modern Films.

The British Film Institute (BFI) is supporting the festival.

Arts Council England, National Lottery and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DMMS) are also key supporters.

As an ‘Official Media Partner, DESIblitz highlights the 2021 UK Asian Film Festival, with screening times for the in-cinema and digital screenings.

SHOWCASE EVENTS

Opening Night Gala 

The 2021 UK Asian Film Festival will open up with the UK Premiere of Raahgir (The Wayfarers – UK/India: 2019) at BFI Southbank, London on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

The Goutam Ghose directorial features an impressive cast. This includes Adil Hussain (Lakhua), Tillotama Shome (Nathuni) and Neeraj Kabi (Chopat Lal) to name a few.

The story of Raahgir is about a hunger driven man and woman who look around for work in a nearby town.

The epic narrative will also take the audience on a fascinating journey, with a view of prolonged monsoon and spectacular nature.

Nathuni has two children and a husband with paralysis that she leaves behind.

Lakhua who has a very maverick personality is constantly living on the edge of survival.

On their tough journey, they share stories about their lives, as well as encountering a life and death situation.

The opening gala marks the birth centenary of Satyajit Ray, with a special introduction by prominent academic, Dr Mukulika Bannerjee

There will be a recorded Q&A with the director shown post-screening.

Closing Film

The Beatles and India (UK/India: 2021) is the World Premiere closing night film of the 2021 UK Asian Film Festival.

The closing gala takes place at BFI Southbank, London on June 6, 2021.

Ajoy Bhose is the director of this documentary, with Peter Compton being the co-director.

The unique film provides a historical perspective of the beautiful romance between The Beatles and India, which began over half a century ago.

Special footage from the archives, recordings, images, observational accounts and thoughts from experts are all important aspects of this documentary.

The film also presents location shoots from across India, bringing alive the amazing journey of the band members, George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ring Starr.

Additionally, the film documents their high profile celebrity lives in the western world and taking inspiration for creative songwriting after their spiritual visit to a remote Himalayan retreat.

Furthermore, the documentary seriously explores the contribution of India to shape this great rock band and playing a pivotal role in two different diverse cultures joining forces together.

Post-screening, a Q&A will take place hosted by Anuj Radia, followed by the UKAFF 2021 Awards presentation.

Anuj will also host the awards with Suzi Mann.

SCREENING HIGHLIGHTS

Zindagi Tamasha (2020)

Pakistani feature film, Zindagi Tamasha (Circus of Life: Pakistan) will have its UK premiere at Genesis, London on Thursday, May 27, 2021.

The film will also screen at Belgrade Theatre Coventry on Friday, May 28, 2121.

The film is directed by Sarmad Khoosat of the super drama series Humsafar (2011) and the iconic film Mant0 (2015).

Sarmad is one of the most gifted contemporary film directors from Pakistan.

Zindagi Tamasha revolves around Rahat, a striving spiritual leader who looks after his wife.

Despite gaining the respect of a conservative community, he enjoys watching classic Punjabi films.

During a wedding, he begins dancing, honouring his favourites film stars. A video then goes viral of the dance, featuring the elderly man.

Consequently, his family shame him, with friends also shunning Rahat.

Even though the film made controversy in Pakistan, it was the country’s official entry selection under the ‘Best International Feature’ category for the 2021 Oscars.

The film should have a successful run at the 2021 UK Asian Film Festival.

I am Belmaya (2021)

I am Belmaya (UK/Nepal) is a documentary feature film, which has a screening at Watermans, London on June 3, 2021.

The documentary will also have an online screening at Moderna Films on Thursday, June 3, 2021.

The directors of the film are Sue Carpenter and Belmaya Nepali.

I am Belmaya is a stirring film about the transformational journey of a young woman.

She goes from being a persecuted Mrs to a stellar filmmaker.

Born in a low caste community, which is heavily under the influence of men, she becomes an orphan at the age of ten.

Facing oppression in a difficult marriage and life, she has a baby daughter at twenty-one.

However, during Belmaya’s gloomiest period, she decides to continue her passion for photography and filmmaking.

From then on, Belmaya has a firm grip on her own destiny, proving anything is possible when given an opportunity.

After growing in confidence, she turns co-director of her own story, replacing an initial subject status.

Q&A sessions with the directors will follow after the screenings.

Toofan Mail (2021)

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry is to host the World Premiere of Toofan Mail (India) on Thursday, May 27, 2021.

A day later, the screening of the film also takes place at Rich Mix, London on Friday, May 28, 2021.

The film marks the directional debut of actress Akriti Singh. She also stars in the film alongside Surya Rao and Arshad Mumtaz.

In 1974, after arriving at New Delhi Railway Station, a woman who claims to be the Queen of Awadh requests to have a meeting with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The story also became quite a sensation in the media.

Toofan Mail is a fictional take on the insane events that took place afterwards, highlighting that truthfulness can appear far more strangely in comparison to fiction.

Fireflies (2019)

Fireflies (India) has a live UK Premiere screening online at Modern Films on Friday, May 28, 2021.

Prakash Deka is the director of this feature film.

The film is about Jahnu who lives in a remote rural Assamese village. He has a dream of having an operation to change his gender.

The villagers ridicule Jahnu for his feminine nature, treating him in an ostracising fashion.

Jahnu’s identity denial to protect the honour of his family also makes it difficult for him to live a free life.

The film touches on issues of acceptance, sensitivity, self-respect, resilience and societal limitations.

A pre-recorded Q&A will follow the screening.

Gutter Boy (2020)

Gutter Boy (India) has a UK Premiere at Watermans, London on Friday, May 28, 2021.

A virtual screening at Modern Films also follows on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

Anupam Khanna Baswal is the director of this film, which stars Ajeet Kumar, Laxmi Kant Baswala and Ankit Mahna.

Many people are fortunate to not experience a gutter or sewage, which can have very negative connotations.

Naturally, others are less fortunate, having to reside in them or risk their lives as a means to survive.

The film focuses on Sandeep who comes from a poor family.

As Sandeep struggles to make ends meet, he heads for the big city, hoping of a better future.

Unfortunately, he is only able to get a job as a sewage cleaner, reminding him of his place in society.

The film explores several topics, including caste division, segregation in society and dehumanisation.

Khape (2020)

The cinematic venue and date for the World Premiere of Khape (India) is Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on Saturday, May 29, 2021.

The next stop for the film is Watermans London on Thursday, June 3, 2021.

The online screening of the film takes place at Modern Films on Thursday, June 3, 2021.

Finally, it will also showcase on the big screen at LCB Depot, Leicester on Friday, June 4, 2021.

Suchita Bhhatia is the director of this Gujarati drama, which has an interesting cast line-up.

Aditya Lakhia who became famous for his role as Kachra in Lagaan (2001) is part of Khape. 

The drama is about a young lad named Ali who toils away to support his extremely poor family.

Ali’s father is adamant that he studies to enhance his future, despite residing in a community where education is not valued.

The film examines the powerful impact of education in breaking down barriers to have a prosperous life.

Nirvana Inn (2019)

Nirvana Inn (India) has its UK Premiere at Rich Mix, London on Saturday, May 29, 2021.

The Vijay Jayapal directorial features Adil Hussain, Rajshri Deshpande and Sandhya Mridul.

The film has a haunting reflection from the past.

Acting on his thoughts of suicide, Boatman Jogiraj Chakraborty overturns a vessel in the middle of a journey.

As a result, the onboard passengers are killed.

Shortly afterwards, he signs up to be a caretaker of Nirvana Inn, a Himalayan resort. People he thought were dead surprise him by checking into the resort as guests.

Are these people literally ghosts or is it a guilty imagination of Jogi?

Nirvana Inn portrays Jogi’s fall into delusion amidst the continuously uneasy environment that he finds himself in.

Not Today (2020)

Rich Mix London is hosting the UK Premiere of Not Today (India) on Monday, May 31, 2021.

A second screening also takes place at LCB Depot, Leicester on Saturday, June 5, 2021.

Aditya Kripalani is the director of the film, with the cast featuring Rucha Inamdar and Harsh Chhaya.

A traditional 24-year-old from Mumbai works as a Suicide Prevention Counsellor secretly.

She comes across a standing man aged 52 who wishes to jump from atop a high-rise.

When attempting to bring him down, she realises he had also been working in the same profession.

Not Today humbly focuses on important discussions relating to mental health and those who struggle during challenging times.

The Other Side of the River (2020)

The Other Side of The River is a UK Premiere screening, taking place at Watermans, London on Friday, June 4, 2021.

The film also has a digital screening at Modern Films on Friday, June 4, 2021.

Darshan Ashwin Trivedi takes the directors chair for this Gujarati film.

The main cast includes Jayesh More, Arya Sagar, Nishma Soni, Karan Patel and Khush Tahilramani.

It is a heartfelt drama about four normal children living on the riverbank, with exceptional dreams.

They are always imagining the life that lies on The Other Side of the River.

However, their families and others around are hesitant in adopting change.

Thus, they discourage the four ordinary individuals from crossing the river to see what lies beyond.

The Other Side of the River explores curiosity, capability and discovery in a world, which tries to force limitations as well as retaining the status quo.

Short Film Screening

The Short Film Screening 2021, including shortlisted competition films, have a ‘Ray of Hope’ theme as part of the 2021 UK Asian Film Festival.

These short films first take place at Soho Screening Rooms on Monday, May 31, 2021.

The shorts will also be available virtually at Modern Films on Friday, June 4, 2021.

The shorts include Baang (Junaid Imam Shaikh) Hiding (Nirusha Wijayamohan), Incredible Insight ( Dr Kushal Dasgupta), Last Night In Vegas (J. Nicholas Mees) and Look At Us (Hussina Raja).

Passport Ladakh ( Sean Whitaker), Refrigerate After Opening (Kevin Ung), The End (Adeel uz Zafar) Uchki (Bharat Mohan Sunita) and Untouchability (Haresh Narayanan) complete the shorts line up.

Author Saz Vora will host this event, with a live Q&A consisting of an industry panel.

The panellists include David Kukadia, Sonny Chohan, Rehmat Rayatt, Amarpal Gaind and Attika Choudhary.

The Great Indian Kitchen (2020)

The Great Indian Kitchen (India) is a feature presentation, taking place at Rich Mix, London on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

Helmed by director, Jeo Baby, the Malayalam film stars Nimisha Sajayan, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Ajitha VM.

The Great Indian Kitchen brings life to patriarchy in a way that is cinematically powerful.

The film presents the life of a newly-wed girl, especially her everyday routine and serving her other half and in-laws.

However, taking responsibility and the day-to-day schedule gradually becomes a horrific ordeal for her.

Besides, extraordinary filmmaking, the movie also concentrates on a piercing picture of how many women lead their life in India.

Granada Nights (2020)

The feature film Granada Nights (UK) will have a screening at Rich Mix, London on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.

British Pakistani writer Abid Khan makes his debut as a director in a film, which stars some familiar names.

The cast includes Antonio Aakeel, Oscar Casas, Virgile Bramly, Laura Frederico, Alice Sanders, Tabata Cerezo and Ezra Khan.

Antonio Aakeel of Tomb Raider (2018) fame plays a British-Pakistani tourist who looks for closure and connection in the pulsating city of Granada, Spain.

He is in search of an adventure, trying to distract himself after being heartbroken. This is following his girlfriend splitting with him.

He then makes friends with an improbable batch of international students, learning and healing from the old and opening up to the new.

This remarkable coming-of-age story depicts, love, loss and a fresh start.

Here is a full list of the entire programme across the different cities:

VENUE SCREENINGS (2021 UK ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL)

LONDON

RAAHGIR, THE WAYFARERS (Hindi with English subtitles) | OPENING NIGHT | UK PREMIERE | 81 Mins
Showing: May 26, 2021, 20:45, BFI South Bank
Director: Goutam Ghosh | Cast: Adil Hussain, Tillotama Shome, Neeraj Kabi

ZINDAGI TAMASHA (Punjabi, Urdu with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 142 Mins
Showing: May 27, 2021, 18:00, Genesis London
Director: Sarmad Khoosat | Cast: Arif Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Eman Suleman, Ali Kureshi

MANNY (English, Hindi with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 69 Mins
Showing: May 27, 2021, 18:00, Rich Mix London
Director: Dace Puce | Cast: Sonal Sehgal, Jurijs Dyakanovas, Darta Danevica

I AM BELMAYA (Nepali, English with English subtitles) | 81 Mins
Showing: May 27, 2021, 19:00, Watermans London
Director: Sue Carpenter, Belmaya Nepali | Cast: Belmaya Nepali

TOOFAN MAIL (Hindi with English subtitles) | WORLD PREMIERE | 97 Mins
Showing: May 28, 2021, 18:00, Rich Mix London
Director: Akriti Singh | Cast: Akriti Singh, Surya Rao, Arshad Mumtaz

IN THUNDER, LIGHTNING AND RAIN (Malayalam with English subtitles) | 40 Mins
Showing: May 27, 2021, 18:30, Hundred Years Gallery London  | May 27, 2021, 20:30, Hundred Years Gallery London
Director: Rajesh James

CHRONICLE OF SPACE, STHALPURAN (Marathi with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 85 Mins
Showing: May 28, 2021, 18:00, Genesis London
Director: Akshay Indikar | Cast: Neel Deshmukh, Anushree Wani, Rekha Thakur

GUTTER BOY (Hindi with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 58 Mins
Showing: May 28, 2021, 19:00, Watermans London
Director: Anupam Khanna Baswal | Cast: Ajeet Kumar, Laxmi Kant Baswala, Ankit Mahna

PROFESSOR SHONKU AND EL DORADO (Bengali, English with English subtitles) | 95 Mins
Showing: May 29, 2021, 17:15, Rich Mix London
Director: Sandip Ray | Cast: Dhritiman Chatterji, Suhashish Mukherjee

NIRVANA INN (Hindi with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 102 Mins
Showing: May 29, 2021, 20:30, Rich Mix London
Director: Vijay Jayapal | Cast: Adil Hussain, Rajshri Deshpande, Sandhya Mridul

KANYA (Tamil with English subtitles) | 16 Mins | & PERIOD (English) | 2 Mins (DOUBLE BILL)
Showing: May 30, 2021, 16:45, Rich Mix London
Kanya Director: Apoorva Satish | Period Director: Rema Chandran

FIRE OF TEAK, FLAME OF CHINAR (Bengali, Hindi, English and Rohingya with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 121 Mins
Showing: May 30, 2021, 19:00, Rich Mix London
Director: Kumar Chowdhury | Cast: Piyali Samanta, Arman Shaw, Iqbal Sultan, Nilanjana Biswas, Ranajay Bhattacharya and Ranjini Chattopadhyaya

YOUNG TONGUE SHORT FILM SCREENING:

BAANG by Junaid Imam Shaikh
HIDING by Nirusha Wijayamohan
INCREDIBLE INSIGHT by Dr Kushal Dasgupta
LAST NIGHT IN VEGAS by J. Nicholas Meese
LOOK AT US by Hussina Raja
PASSPORT LADAKH by Sean Whitaker
REFRIGERATE AFTER OPENING by Kevin Ung
THE END by Adeel uz Zafar
UCHKI by Bharat Mohan Sunita
UNTOUCHABILITY by Haresh Narayanan

Showing: May 31, 2021, 14:00, Soho Screening Rooms London
Host: Saz Vora
Industry Panel: David Kukadia, Sonny Chohan, Rehmat Rayatt, Amarpal Gaind and Attika Choudhary

MISS MAN (Bengali with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 25 Mins
Showing: May 31, 16:30, Soho Screening Rooms London
Director: Tathagata Ghosh | Cast: Arghya Adhikary, Bimal Giri, Payel Parna, Manoj A Michigan, Ratrish Saha and Riddhish Dhar

NOT TODAY (Hindi with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 93 Mins
Showing: May 31, 2021, 18:00, Rich Mix London
Director: Aditya Kripalani | Cast: Rucha Inamdar and Harsh Chhaya

CHOTE NAWAB (Hindi with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 109 Mins
Showing: June 1, 2021, 18:00, Genesis London
Director: Kumud Chaudhary | Cast: Plabita Borthakur, Svar Kamble, Shataf Figar, Ekalavi Khanna

THE GREAT INDIAN KITCHEN (Malayalam with English subtitles) | 100 Mins
Showing: June 1, 2021, 18:00, Rich Mix London
Director: Jeo Baby | Cast: Nimisha Sajayan, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Ajitha VM

GRANADA NIGHTS (English, Spanish, Swedish, Urdu with English subtitles) | 85 Mins
Showing: June 2, 2021, 18:00, Rich Mix London
Director: Abid Khan | Cast: Antonio Aakeel, Oscar Casas, Virgile Bramly, Laura Frederico, Alice Sanders, Tabata Cerezo and Ezra Khan

DIGITAL COMMISSIONS: ‘RAY OF HOPE’
Showing: June 2, 19:00, 2021, Soho Screening Rooms London

RUKHS ~ Presented by Annusheh Rahim Qureshi, 5 mins, Urdu with English subtitles
ANAND DHARA STREAM OF JOY ~ Presented by Deyali Mukherjee, 3 mins
SAECULUM ~ Presented by Mahendarpal Sorya, 4 mins
(IM)PERFECTION ~ Presented by Nimrita Kaur, 4 mins, English
BETTER DAYS ~ Presented by Robby Khela, 3 mins, English
THE WAVING MAN ~ Presented by Shai Hussain, 3 mins, English
STRONGER ~ Presented by Sue Carpenter, Belmaya Nepali, Simi Carpenter, 3 mins, English
ALIF ALPHA ~ Presented by Shayan Ali, English
SAME AS YOU ~ Presented by Umisha Bhatia, 2 mins, English

THE FALSE EYE (Malayalam with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 72 Mins
Showing: June 3, 2021, 18:00, Genesis London
Director: Rahul Riji Nair  | Cast: Shreejith Babu, Vijay Induchoodan, Vinitha Koshy, Suryadev Sajeesh Marar, Vasudev Sajeesh Marar, Srikanth Mohan and Vishnu Premkumar

KHAPE (Gujarati with English subtitles) | WORLD PREMIERE | 78 Mins
Showing: June 3, 2021, 19:00, Watermans London
Director: Suchita Bhhatia  | Cast: Aditya Lakhia, Karan Patel, Prashant Barot and Chirag Modi

LUNCHEON: IN CONVERSATION WITH NINA WADIA
Showing: June 4, 2021, 13:00, Wellington Hotel London
Host: Rakhee Joshi  | Guest: Nina Wadia

BULBULE (Hindi with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 95 Mins
Showing: June 4, 2021, 18:00, Genesis London
Director: Manpreet Singh Dhami  | Cast: Sachin K Jaryal and Jasmeet Bhatia

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER (Gujarati with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 107 Mins
Showing: June 4, 2021, 19:00, Watermans London
Director: Darshan Ashwin Trivedi  | Cast: Jayesh More, Arya Sagar, Nishma Soni, Karan Patel and Khush Tahilramani

THE WANDERING LIFE (Sinhala with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 112 Mins
Showing: June 5, 2021, 19:00, Watermans London
Director: Crishantha Manamperi  | Cast: Dineth De Silva, Mahendra Perera, Jayani Senanayake, Kumara Thirimadura, Marion Weththasinghe, Damitha Abeyrathna, Jagath Chamila, Sarath Kothalawala

THE BEATLES AND INDIA (English with English subtitles) | CLOSING GALA | WORLD PREMIERE | 92 Mins
Showing: June 6, 2021, 15:15, BFI Southbank London
Directors: Ajay Bose, Peter Compton

COVENTRY

TOOFAN MAIL (Hindi with English subtitles) | WORLD PREMIERE | 97 Mins
Showing: May 27, 2021, 19:00, Belgrade Theatre Coventry
Director: Akriti Singh | Cast: Akriti Singh, Surya Rao, Arshad Mumtaz

ZINDAGI TAMASHA (Punjabi, Urdu with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 142 Mins
Showing: May 28, 2021, 19:00, Belgrade Theatre Coventry
Director: Sarmad Khoosat | Cast: Arif Hassan, Samiya Mumtaz, Eman Suleman, Ali Kureshi

KHAPE (Gujarati with English subtitles) | WORLD PREMIERE | 78 Mins
Showing: May 29, 2021, 14:00, Belgrade Theatre Coventry
Director: Suchita Bhhatia  | Cast: Aditya Lakhia, Karan Patel, Prashant Barot and Chirag Modi

FIRE OF TEAK, FLAME OF CHINAR (Bengali, Hindi, English and Rohingya with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 121 Mins
Showing: May 29, 2021, 16:30, Belgrade Theatre Coventry
Director: Kumar Chowdhury | Cast: Piyali Samanta, Arman Shaw, Iqbal Sultan, Nilanjana Biswas, Ranajay Bhattacharya and Ranjini Chattopadhyaya

THE BEATLES AND INDIA (English with English subtitles) | WORLD PREMIERE | 92 Mins
Showing: May 29, 2021, 19:30, Belgrade Theatre London
Directors: Ajay Bose, Peter Compton

LEICESTER

GINSBERG’S KARMA + DIGITAL COMMISSIONS

GINSBERG’S KARMA (English) | 25 Mins
Showing: June 5, 2021, 16:00, LCB Depot Leicester
Director: Ram Divineni

DIGITAL COMMISSIONS: ‘RAY OF HOPE’
Showing: June 5, 2021, 16:00, LCB Depot Leicester

RUKHS ~ Presented by Annusheh Rahim Qureshi, 5 mins, Urdu with English subtitles
ANAND DHARA STREAM OF JOY ~ Presented by Deyali Mukherjee, 3 mins
SAECULUM ~ Presented by Mahendarpal Sorya, 4 mins
(IM)PERFECTION ~ Presented by Nimrita Kaur, 4 mins, English
BETTER DAYS ~ Presented by Robby Khela, 3 mins, English
THE WAVING MAN ~ Presented by Shai Hussain, 3 mins, English
STRONGER ~ Presented by Sue Carpenter, Belmaya Nepali, Simi Carpenter, 3 mins, English
ALIF ALPHA ~ Presented by Shayan Ali, English
SAME AS YOU ~ Presented by Umisha Bhatia, 2 mins, English

NOT TODAY (Hindi with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 93 Mins
Showing: June 5, 2021, 18:00, LCB Depot Leicester
Director: Aditya Kripalani | Cast: Rucha Inamdar and Harsh Chhaya

CHOTE NAWAB (Hindi with English subtitles) | UK PREMIERE | 109 Mins
Showing: June 5, 2021, 20:30, LCB Depot Leicester
Director: Kumud Chaudhary | Cast: Plabita Borthakur, Svar Kamble, Shataf Figar, Ekalavi Khanna

VIRTUAL SCREENINGS AT MODERN FILMS (2021 UK ASIAN FIL FESTIVAL)

CHRONICLE OF SPACE, STHALPURAN (Marathi with English subtitles) | 85 Mins
Showing: May 26, 2021, 18:00
Director: Akshay Indikar | Cast: Neel Deshmukh, Anushree Wani, Rekha Thakur

CHOTE NAWAB (Hindi with English subtitles) | 109 Mins
Showing: May 26, 2021, 18:00
Director: Kumud Chaudhary | Cast: Plabita Borthakur, Svar Kamble, Shataf Figar, Ekalavi Khanna

THE FALSE EYE (Malayalam with English subtitles) | 72 Mins
Showing: May 26, 2021, 18:00
Director: Rahul Riji Nair  | Cast: Shreejith Babu, Vijay Induchoodan, Vinitha Koshy, Suryadev Sajeesh Marar, Vasudev Sajeesh Marar, Srikanth Mohan and Vishnu Premkumar

BULBULE (Hindi with English subtitles) | 95 Mins
Showing: May 26, 2021, 18:00
Director: Manpreet Singh Dhami  | Cast: Sachin K Jaryal and Jasmeet Bhatia

FIREFLIES (Assamese with English subtitles) | 92 Mins
Showing: May 28, 2021, 18:00
Director: Prakashb Deka

MISS MAN (Bengali with English subtitles) | 25 Mins
Showing: May 28, 2021, 18:00
Director: Tathagata Ghosh | Cast: Arghya Adhikary, Bimal Giri, Payel Parna, Manoj A Michigan, Ratrish Saha and Riddhish Dhar

IN THUNDER, LIGHTNING AND RAIN (Malayalam with English subtitles) | 40 Mins
Showing: May 30, 2021, 18:00
Director: Rajesh James

HOLY RIGHTS (Urdu with English subtitles) | 52 Mins
Showing: May 30, 2021, 18:00
Director: Farha Khatun

GUTTER BOY (Hindi with English subtitles) | 58 Mins
Showing: June 1, 2021, 18:00
Director: Anupam Khanna Baswal | Cast: Ajeet Kumar, Laxmi Kant Baswala, Ankit Mahna

GINSBERG’S KARMA (English) | 25 Mins
Showing: June 1, 2021, 18:00
Director: Ram Divineni

I AM BELMAYA (Nepali, English with English subtitles) | 81 Mins
Showing: June 3, 2021, 18:00
Director: Sue Carpenter, Belmaya Nepali | Cast: Belmaya Nepali

KHAPE (Gujarati with English subtitles) | 78 Mins
Showing: June 3, 2021, 18:00
Director: Suchita Bhhatia  | Cast: Aditya Lakhia, Karan Patel, Prashant Barot and Chirag Modi

SELECTION OF 10 SHORT FILMS | 82 Mins
Showing: June 4, 2021, 18:00
Directors: Miscellaneous

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER (Gujarati with English subtitles) | 107 Mins
Showing: June 4, 2021, 18:00
Director: Darshan Ashwin Trivedi  | Cast: Jayesh More, Arya Sagar, Nishma Soni, Karan Patel and Khush Tahilramani

The 2021 UK Asian Film Festival certainly has a good selection of World and UK Premiers across all major South Asian languages.

Speaking about UKAFF 2021, Founder and Director, Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry MBE says:

“We are thrilled to bring the magic of the cinema back again!”

“After a year of virtual living, we are proud to be working with our partners to create safe spaces for our audiences to enjoy films in person.

“We have also curated a selection of online premieres to make sure we reach new, UK-wide audiences.”

Watch the Trailer for the 23rd UK Asian Film Festival 2021 here:

Samir Bhamra, Creative Director of the UK Asian Film Festival sheds light on the theme and the expansion of the festival:

“Cinema has been a ray of hope for all of us during this pandemic.

“Its power to entertain, provide escapism and boost our wellbeing has held us all together during this pandemic.

“And just as characters in films go on a journey of growth, UKAFF has expanded to Coventry this year.

“Working in partnership with Belgrade Theatre, we are delighted to be one of the key headline events during the UK City of Culture to celebrate the best of South Asian culture, positivity and creativity.”

With a fantastic variety of films, UKAFF 2021 is a festival not to be missed.

For further information about the programme for the 2021 UK Asian Film Festival, please check the UKAFF website here.