Indian cinematographer Pankaj Kumar (“Tumbhad,” “Ship of Theseus”) will make his characteristic directorial debut with “Koniak,” a tribal motion drama set in northeast India . The undertaking was chosen for the 2024 NFDC Screenwriting Lab (a part of the Movie Bazaar) and can be produced via Kumar’s newly established Jiboom Studios.
Written by Uddhav Ghosh, the movie follows a younger warrior named Thungpang who, guided by a prophecy, should defend his group in a lethal battle between headhunting tribes. The story explores themes of betrayal and honor as he faces his former friend-turned-enemy Samba.
The undertaking, which can be shot in Konyak Naga and Hindi, stems from Ghosh’s journey in Nagaland. Kumar, additionally recognized for movies like Brahmastra Half 1: Shiva and Talwar, will direct and produce the movie via his manufacturing banner specializing in dramatic storytelling. Kumar, who has shot Raj & DK’s Prime Video sequence “Farzi” and Netflix sequence “Weapons & Gulaabs”, is presently in post-production of his horror sequence “Khauff” for Prime Video.
Ghosh stated: “Our imaginative and prescient has at all times been clear – to create a uncooked, unfiltered and genuine motion epic that pulls on the unique storytelling of movies like Fury Street and Apocalypse. Panka Pankaj Kumar now directs and his visible mastery elevates the movie into the cinematic spectacle it deserves to be. His pleasure matches my very own as we craft a narrative that is as a lot about on a regular basis life as it’s about motion. Identification and resilience in .
Kumar added: “The imaginative and prescient for Konyak was to create an immersive and wild movie, a movie that comes alive on the large display screen and tells a narrative of endurance and legacy in each body. As As a director with a background in cinematography, this undertaking allowed me to carry all these components collectively and it was thrilling to work with Uddhav on this – integrating his compelling narrative right into a grand visible expertise. , the expertise is deeply rooted within the essence of the setting whereas being pushed by the heart beat of journey.
Claire Dobbin, the script editor who directed the undertaking, describes it as “extra than simply an motion film. It is a riveting story of betrayal, braveness and resilience that reveals a little-known however fascinating story. An unforgettable folks – the Konyak folks.
Marten Rabarts, head of IFFR Professional and lab teacher on the Worldwide Movie Competition Rotterdam, stated: “Like many considerate filmmakers from across the pre-colonial world, Uddhav Ghosh is exploring the long-neglected tales of indigenous peoples. .
The Movie Bazaar (November 20-24) is the undertaking market element of the Goa Worldwide Movie Competition of India (IFFI, November 20-28).
