Marathi Film Sabar Bonda Wins Big At Sundance Film Festival 2025

Directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, Marathi film Sabar Bonda earned India international recognition at the Sundance Film Festival 2025. It made history as the first Marathi film to receive a nomination at the prestigious festival, ultimately winning the top coveted prize—World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic.

Starring Bhushan Manoj and Suraaj Suman, Sabar Bonda is a poignant story about two men from a village in Maharashtra who rekindle their love. The film is a co-production between India, the United Kingdom, and Canada, with Bollywood actor Jim Sarbh making his debut as a producer with this film.

The official synopsis of the film states, “Anand, a 30-something city dweller compelled to spend a 10-day mourning period for his father in the rugged countryside of western India, tenderly bonds with a local farmer struggling to stay unmarried. As the mourning ends, forcing his return, Anand must decide the fate of his relationship born under duress.”

India is having a successful run at the Sundance Film Festival. Last year, Suchi Talati’s full-length feature film, Girls Will Be Girls, and the documentary titled Nocturnes also had also achieved significant triumphs at the Sundance Film Festival.

The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic goes to “Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears).” pic.twitter.com/miJqpenf3c

— Sundance Film Festival (@sundancefest) January 31, 2025