Punjabi filmmaker Gurvinder Singh’s ‘Rehmat’ enters main competition at 79th Locarno Film Festival
PTC Web Desk: Punjabi filmmaker Gurvinder Singh has earned a place at one of the world's most respected film festivals with his latest feature, Rehmat. The film has been selected for the Main Competition (Concorso Internazionale) at the 79th Locarno Film Festival, which will take place in Switzerland from August 5 to 15.
The selection places Rehmat among the films competing for the festival's highest honour, the Pardo d'Oro (Golden Leopard), which carries a prize of CHF 75,000.
Rehmat will have its world premiere in Locarno on August 6 during the festival. The film features a cast led by Naseeruddin Shah, Suvinder Vicky, Mita Vasisht and Navjot Randhawa. It also introduces newcomers Diya Kamboj, Harwinder Aujla and Jaswant Zafar.
The film draws inspiration from short stories written by veteran Punjabi author Ajeet Cour. It has been co-produced by painter Arpana Caur, who is also the writer's daughter.
Set in present-day Punjab, Rehmat weaves together three interconnected stories. One follows a woman who secretly gives shelter to an injured stranger while his family struggles with grief and difficult decisions. Another centres on an elderly man who arrives in a village claiming to be God, adding a mysterious dimension to the narrative.
Apart from competing for the Golden Leopard, Rehmat has also been shortlisted for the festival's Pardo for Change award.
The honour recognises films that explore important environmental, ethical, social and cultural issues. A total of 13 feature films from different sections of the festival will compete for the award, which carries a prize of CHF 20,000 for the winning director.
Gurvinder Singh has established himself as one of the leading voices in contemporary Punjabi cinema. His earlier films include Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan, Chauthi Koot and Adh Chanani Raat, all of which have been showcased at major international film festivals, incl
A National Award-winning filmmaker, Singh has received the Best Director honour once and the Best Punjabi Film award twice. Rehmat marks his fourth Punjabi-language feature film and continues his journey on the global festival circuit.
- With inputs from agencies
