Hansal Mehta-Backed Punjabi Film ‘Birds in the Dark’ Set for World Premiere at Busan 2026
The independent Punjabi narrative feature Birds in the Dark (Hanere De Panchi), supported by filmmaker Hansal Mehta, has been selected for its world premiere at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in 2026.
What Happened
Written, photographed, and directed by Shashank Walia, Birds in the Dark will screen in the Vision section of the festival, scheduled to take place from October 6 to October 15, 2026. The film is produced by Reema Kaur under the Two Black Squares banner, alongside Hansal Mehta and Sahil Saigal representing True Story Films. In addition to producing, Reema Kaur also served as the film’s editor.
Set against the backdrop of rural Punjab, the production is shot entirely in black and white. It features multiple regional dialects, incorporating Punjabi, Kashmiri, and Urdu to explore themes surrounding caste, gender, class, and labour.
Key Highlights
- Festival Selection: The film will hold its world premiere in the Vision section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
- Creative Team: Shashank Walia handled writing, direction, and cinematography, while Reema Kaur co-produced and edited the project.
- Production Banners: The project is produced by Two Black Squares and True Story Films.
- Linguistic and Visual Format: A black-and-white narrative incorporating Punjabi, Kashmiri, and Urdu dialects.
- Producer’s Milestone: This marks Hansal Mehta’s third project at BIFF—following his directorial screenings of Aligarh and Omerta—and his first festival appearance as a producer.
Why This Matters
The Vision section at BIFF is dedicated to showcasing independent Asian cinema, highlighting personal and unconventional storytelling from South Asia and beyond. Founded in 1996 as South Korea’s first international film festival, BIFF serves as a major cinematic platform connecting Asian cinema with global audiences.
Reflecting on the selection, director Shashank Walia stated that the film was born out of mutual care, solidarity, and understanding among communities. Producer Hansal Mehta described the project as a meditative exploration of gender, justice, labour, and love, while co-producer Sahil Saigal noted True Story Films’ focus on backing distinctive, director-led narratives alongside commercial releases.
What to Watch Next
The film is scheduled to screen before international audiences during the festival’s official run from October 6 to October 15, 2026, in Busan, South Korea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed and wrote Birds in the Dark?
The film was written, shot, and directed by Shashank Walia.
What languages are featured in the movie?
While primarily a Punjabi narrative feature, the film incorporates dialects of Punjabi, Kashmiri, and Urdu.
When and where will the film make its debut?
It is scheduled to hold its world premiere in the Vision section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, taking place from October 6 to October 15, 2026.
Source: Based on official announcements shared via True Story Films and Bollywood Hungama.