National Award-winning filmmaker Gurvinder Singh has added another international milestone to his career. His latest film, Rehmat, starring Naseeruddin Shah, has been selected for the Main Competition at the 79th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. The film will premiere on August 6 and compete for the festival’s top honour, the Pardo d’Oro (Golden Leopard), making it the only Indian film in the prestigious competition this year. Scheduled to take place from August 5 to 15, the festival will also mark India’s return to Locarno’s main competition after four years.
The last Indian film to compete in the section was Mahesh Narayanan’s Ariyippu in 2022.
A cast led by Naseeruddin Shah
Rehmat features a strong ensemble cast led by Naseeruddin Shah, with Suvinder Vicky, Mita Vasisht, Navjot Randhawa, and newcomers Diya Kamboj, Harwinder Aujla, and Jaswant Zafar playing key roles. The film also marks the acting debut of acclaimed Punjabi poet Jaswant Zafar.
In the film, Naseeruddin Shah plays Rashid Ali, a man whose family migrated from Punjab just before the 1947 Partition. Decades later, after spending most of his life in England, he returns to the village where he was born.
Celebrating the film’s selection, actor Diya Kamboj shared the news on Instagram and wrote, “Delighted to share that our film Rehmat has been officially selected for the 79th Locarno Film Festival in the Concorso Internazionale (International Competition). Locarno is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious film festivals, and to see our film selected on this global stage is truly an honour. It is a privilege to bring a story from Punjab to audiences around the world. Heartfelt congratulations to our whole team. Looking forward to celebrating Rehmat in Locarno and sharing this special moment with everyone.”
Three stories connected by life in Punjab
Set against the backdrop of present-day Punjab, Rehmat brings together three separate stories that slowly intersect. One follows a young woman who secretly gives shelter to an injured stranger while hiding him from the police. Another focuses on a family trying to cope with the disappearance of a loved one, as the children grow up without their father and an ageing grandfather is forced to take charge of the household again. The third story revolves around an elderly man who arrives in a village claiming he is God.
The film is adapted from the works of noted Punjabi writer Ajeet Cour, whose writing has long been recognised for its powerful feminist perspective. Gurvinder Singh came across her stories through painter Arpana Caur, the author’s daughter, who introduced him to her mother’s books over the years before eventually coming on board as one of the film’s producers.
Rehmat takes inspiration from four of Ajeet Cour’s short stories: Na Maro (Dead End), Akhan (Eyes), Chhutti (On Vacation), and Ik Pair Ghat Turna (Will Walk A Step Less).
Also in the running for the Pardo for Change award
Rehmat has also found a place in the running for the festival’s Pardo for Change award, which celebrates films that spark conversations around social, cultural, ethical, and environmental issues. A total of 13 films from across the festival’s different sections have been selected for the prize.
The film also marks the first production from Paris-based Pavo Films, founded by Cosmin Illes and Némésis Srour. The company was unveiled at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Rehmat has been produced by India’s Vahao Studio, with Pavo Films coming on board as co-producer.