Major Collaborations Unveiled at the Inaugural Tasveer Film Market, Shaping the Future of South Asian Cinema

• Modoxy Media boards Fawad Khan’s Behind The Scenes
  
• Awedacious Originals boards Disruption & The Prisoner
  
• Luminary Pictures boards Chilli Score, The Pharaoh of Pharma and Good Girls
  
• Guneet Monga joins Jahnu Barua’s Whistle In The Wind as Project Mentor
  

The inaugural Tasveer Film Market has made a significant impact in the South Asian entertainment landscape, unveiling a series of major collaborations and a diverse slate of innovative projects. This landmark event has successfully showcased the creative potential of filmmakers and storytellers, paving the way for a vibrant future in South Asian cinema.

Led by Mohammed Ali Naqvi, Modoxy Media has partnered with Bilal Sami and Film Lab++ to bring Behind the Scenes, a newsroom thriller developed with South Asian superstar Fawad Khan. This dark comedy is driven by renowned filmmakers such as Mehreen Jabbar (Jackson Heights), Sarmad Khoosat (Joyland), and Mo Naqvi (Insha’Allah Democracy), promising a unique blend of creativity and bold narratives.

Awedacious Originals, led by Apoorva Bakshi and Monisha Thyagarajan, has secured two standout projects from the inaugural Tasveer Film Market. The first, Disruption, directed by Sarvnik Kaur, is a powerful Indian documentary that delves into the high-stakes conflict between an Indian farmer and a British corporation, highlighting the complexities of global agricultural politics. The second, The Prisoner, is an engaging Pakistani episodic series created by Parisa Siddiqi and Ahmer Khan, adapted from Omar Shahid’s bestselling novel. This gripping drama features Fawad Khan in a key role, further solidifying its potential to captivate audiences across borders.

Lotus Visual Productions, led by Neeraj Churi, announced two compelling projects at the Tasveer Film Market. NISA, written and directed by Ambarien Alqadar, explores the personal journey of a 28-year-old Muslim woman confronting life’s challenges, offering a nuanced portrayal of identity and resilience. The second project, Lone Star Hijra, directed by Sheila Sawhny, presents the heartfelt story of an Indian-American transgender woman’s quest for sisterhood, addressing themes of belonging and community. Additionally, Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga has joined the India-Australia co-production Whistle in the Wind, directed by the renowned Jahnu Barua, bringing her mentorship and production expertise to elevate the project’s potential on a global scale.

Rita Meher, Executive Director, and Founder of the Tasveer Film Market, expressed her excitement, stating, “The collaborations formed here reflect the remarkable talent and vision within our community. This market has not only brought diverse creators together but has also created a table where filmmakers, producers, and industry leaders can exchange ideas, build relationships, and forge new paths for South Asian narratives on the global stage. It’s inspiring to see these projects come to life, and I’m proud that the inaugural Tasveer Film Market could serve as a platform for such incredible talent and meaningful partnerships.”

Meher’s new venture Luminary Pictures, in collaboration with Executive Producer Zaki Chinde, will lead the development of three exciting projects: The Pharaoh of Pharma, The Chili Score by Vinny Anand and Ronald Austin, and Good Girls by Hira Sheraz.

Anupama Bose, Associate Director of the Tasveer Film Market, remarked, “The enthusiasm and response from industry professionals has been remarkable. We look forward to witnessing the journey of the first batch of Tasveer Film Market projects. The announcements and the half a dozen expressions of intentions in progress echo the spirit of the Tasveer Investor Lunch – with which we started the event this year”.

Tasveer envisions building a resource pool that will grow into a thriving community supporting South Asian and diasporic projects. The Tasveer Film Market kicked off with an exclusive Investor Lunch, hosted by Founder and Executive Director Rita Meher, bringing together filmmakers and industry leaders such as Shobha Sant (CEO, Creativeland Studios), Ameet Shukla (One Community), Amy Lillard (Washington Filmworks), Meg Kiernan (Amazon MGM Studios), Samir Sarkar (Magic Hour Films), and Tenten Wei (EST N8). The event set the tone for the market, fostering collaboration, purposeful dialogue, and meaningful exchanges.

These exciting announcements signal a promising future for the South Asian entertainment industry as creators unite to tell authentic stories that resonate globally, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and diverse experiences of the region.