Hansal Mehta backs Punjabi film 'Birds in the Dark' for Busan Film Festival
Synopsis
A black-and-white Punjabi film that Hansal Mehta first encountered on a laptop in Chandigarh is heading to the Busan International Film Festival — and Mehta says it 'blew him away.' 'Birds in the Dark' marks cinematographer Shashank Walia's directorial debut and signals True Story Films' growing bet on India's most individualistic regional voices.
Key Takeaways
Hansal Mehta is presenting 'Birds in the Dark' ( Hanere De Panchhi ) as producer at the Busan International Film Festival .
The film is directed by cinematographer-turned-filmmaker Shashank Walia and is shot in black and white .
Mehta first watched the film on Walia's laptop in Chandigarh after producers Mauli Singh and Ankur Pathak brought it to him.
The film explores themes of justice, longing, resistance, and gender , and is described as 'a gentle meditation on love.' It is produced under True Story Films by Reema Kaur and Hansal Mehta , with Kaur also serving as editor.
Filmmaker and producer Hansal Mehta has opened up about his involvement with 'Birds in the Dark' (Hanere De Panchhi), a Punjabi-language independent film directed by cinematographer-turned-filmmaker Shashank Walia, which is set to make its world premiere at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival. The film marks a significant milestone for independent Indian regional cinema on the global festival circuit.
How Mehta Discovered the Film
Mehta recalled that producers Mauli Singh and Ankur Pathak first brought the project to his attention last year. It was only after watching the opening 40 minutes of the film on director Walia's laptop during a visit to Chandigarh that Mehta realised the project's exceptional potential. 'I was blown away. And proud,' he wrote while sharing photographs on Instagram.
What the Film Is About
'Birds in the Dark' is a black-and-white drama-romance that leans heavily on visual storytelling and silence. According to Mehta, the film explores themes of justice, longing, resistance, and gender, while also offering what he described as 'a gentle meditation on love that gives you more with every viewing.' The original Punjabi title is Hanere De Panchi.
The film is produced by Reema Kaur and Hansal Mehta under the banner True Story Films. Kaur has also served as the film's editor. Mehta credited the 'entire team of actors and crew' for making it 'a living, breathing work of art.'
Mehta's Vision at True Story Films
Mehta positioned the Busan premiere within a broader curatorial vision at True Story Films, the production house he co-runs. 'At True Story Films we back voices we believe are going to matter in the years to come — Lijo Jose Pellissery, Jai Mehta, and now Shashank, one of the most individualistic filmmakers of our time,' he said. The statement underscores the banner's track record of championing distinctive, auteur-driven Indian cinema.
Significance of the Busan Premiere
The Busan International Film Festival, held annually in South Korea, is one of Asia's most prominent platforms for new and independent cinema. A premiere there typically signals strong critical attention and can open doors to wider international distribution. For a Punjabi-language independent film, the selection represents a notable breakthrough beyond the mainstream Bollywood and OTT ecosystem. Shashank Walia's transition from cinematographer to director will be closely watched following this debut on the international stage.
Point of View
Jai Mehta, now Shashank Walia — that reads like a who's-who of Indian auteur cinema. The real question is what happens after the festival: whether a black-and-white Punjabi film with art-house sensibilities finds a distribution path back home, or whether it wins global acclaim and remains largely unseen in the state whose language it speaks.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Birds in the Dark' and who directed it?
'Birds in the Dark' (original Punjabi title: Hanere De Panchi) is an independent black-and-white drama-romance directed by cinematographer-turned-filmmaker Shashank Walia. It is produced by Reema Kaur and Hansal Mehta under True Story Films.
Where will 'Birds in the Dark' premiere?
The film is set to make its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival, one of Asia's most prestigious platforms for independent and new cinema, held annually in South Korea.
How did Hansal Mehta get involved with the film?
Producers Mauli Singh and Ankur Pathak approached Mehta with the project last year. He decided to come on board after watching the first 40 minutes of the film on director Shashank Walia's laptop during a visit to Chandigarh, describing the experience as being 'blown away.'
What themes does 'Birds in the Dark' explore?
According to Hansal Mehta, the film explores justice, longing, resistance, and gender, and is described as a quiet meditation on love. Silence and visual storytelling are central to its narrative approach.
What is True Story Films and what other filmmakers has it backed?
True Story Films is Hansal Mehta's production banner known for backing distinctive, auteur-driven Indian cinema. Apart from Shashank Walia, the banner has previously collaborated with filmmakers Lijo Jose Pellissery and Jai Mehta.
