NYIFF 2026-Aakuti and A Virtuous Woman (Short)

Aakuti (Longing) - World Premiere

Director: Snigdha P Roy
Starring: Kavisha Mahanta, Nilim Chetia, Anisha Hazarika
Run time: 1 hour 34 minutes
Language: Assamese

Synopsis:
‘’Aakuti" means longing. Eight-year-old Lakhi constantly longs for her mother, whom she lost as an infant. To cope with the void, she fills pages with drawings, trying to imagine her mother’s face—but is left frustrated and heartbroken. Her father Bishnu loves her deeply, but Lakhi remains withdrawn, caught in a web of inner turmoil and self-doubt. He tries his best to understand her, to offer comfort, but finds himself falling short.Bishnu leans on a close friendship with a woman who guides him through his difficulties. They also hope for a life together, but are unable to because of the complexities of their situation. Lakhi remains unaware of this relationship.

Aakuti traces the emotional journey of a child and the quiet, tender bond between a father and daughter as they try to sail through life. A journey marked by challenges

Snigdha P. Roy is a filmmaker, writer, and editor with over 15 years of experience in the Indian film industry. She began her career in animation and editing, and has worked across various departments on a wide range of projects. Her directorial work includes several acclaimed short films — Hands of A, Let Love Be, Wounds, and The Gift — which have screened at festivals internationally. As an editor, she has contributed to films and series such as Skater Girl (Netflix), Saina (T-Series), Class (Netflix), and First Act (Amazon). Aakuti marks her debut feature as a writer-director.

Ghar Ki Lakshmi (A Virtuous Woman) - World Premiere
Director: Ajay Kishor Shaw
Starring: Smita Tambe, Vijay Maurya
Run time: 20 minutes
Language: No Dialogue

Synopsis:
When a woman receives her blood-soaked husband at the doorstep, she is caught between her duty to him and her grief for her daughter. It's a no-dialogue film that probes the pathology of a virtuous woman in a patriarchal society.

Ajay Kishor Shaw is a filmmaker based in Mumbai. He worked in advertising for many years as a copywriter before switching to filmmaking. His first short film, 'Happy Birthday', premiered at NYIFF 2021 and was showcased at IFFSA, Toronto 2021. 'Ghar Ki Lakshmi' (A Virtuous Woman) is his second short film.

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Host or Publisher Indo-American Arts Council