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
