Anshuman Jha's 'Lakadbaggha 2' set for Cannes market screening, eyes global distribution
Synopsis
Anshuman Jha's 'Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business,' an India–Indonesia co-production, is set for a Marché du Film screening at Cannes. The visceral action film spotlights the critically endangered Yaki Monkey, which has declined from 50,000 in 1990 to fewer than 5,000 today. With a pan-Asian cast and German backing, the film represents a rare fusion of martial arts spectacle and environmental advocacy.
Key Takeaways
Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business screens at Marché du Film , Cannes Film Festival , ahead of its world premiere.
The film is an India–Indonesia co-production , the first official co-production between the two nations in this space.
Cast includes Sunny Pang , Dan Chupong , Adil Hussain , and Sarah-Jane Dias .
The Yaki Monkey , featured in the film, has declined from 50,000 in 1990 to fewer than 5,000 by 2025 .
Webfilmland Productions (Germany) is championing the film for international distribution.
Actor-director Anshuman Jha's Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business is scheduled for an exclusive market screening at the Marché du Film during the Cannes Film Festival, positioning the film for international distribution ahead of its world premiere later this year. The screening marks a significant step toward bringing the India–Indonesia co-production to global audiences.
Environmental storytelling at the core
The film, set against the backdrop of Indonesia, combines raw hand-to-hand action choreography with a powerful environmental narrative centred on the critically endangered Yaki Monkey. The species, which numbered approximately 50,000 in 1990, has declined to fewer than 5,000 by 2025 due to illegal wildlife trade and habitat destruction. Jha's vision extends the thematic reach of the first film beyond dogs to encompass broader animal conservation.
Cast and production scale
The ensemble features Sunny Pang (Headshot, Havoc), Dan Chupong (Ong-Bak), Adil Hussain (Life of Pi), and Sarah-Jane Dias (Angry Indian Goddesses) alongside Jha. Webfilmland Productions, a German company, is championing the film for international and German distribution. The production represents one of the few Asian action films competing for attention at Cannes.
Director's vision on action and meaning
In a statement, Jha articulated the film's thematic ambition:
Point of View
This sequel's Cannes platform—combined with German backing and a pan-Asian cast—signals a deliberate push toward the international action market. The environmental angle is smart positioning: it gives the action narrative weight beyond spectacle, differentiating it from routine vigilante fare. Whether the film can sustain that balance without preaching remains the test.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business'?
It is an India–Indonesia co-production action film directed by and starring Anshuman Jha , set in Indonesia. The film combines visceral hand-to-hand combat choreography with an environmental narrative centred on the critically endangered Yaki Monkey .
Why is the film screening at Cannes?
The film is scheduled for an exclusive market screening at the Marché du Film , Cannes, to secure international distribution deals ahead of its official world premiere later this year.
What is the significance of the Yaki Monkey in the film?
The Yaki Monkey , a critically endangered species, is central to the film's environmental narrative. The species has declined from approximately 50,000 in 1990 to fewer than 5,000 by 2025 due to illegal wildlife trade and habitat destruction.
Who is backing the film for international distribution?
Webfilmland Productions , a German production company, is championing the film for international and German distribution. The company first discovered the first Lakadbaggha film at the Stuttgart Film Festival in 2023 , where it won the Vision Award.
