Nehha Pendse's 'Tighee' wins Best Screenplay at NYIFF, packs full house
Synopsis
A Marathi mother-daughter drama just out-screenplayed the field in New York. 'Tighee', led by Nehha Pendse and directed by Jeejivisha Kale, packed the house at NYIFF and walked away with Best Screenplay — a quiet but pointed signal that regional Indian cinema is finding sharper traction on global festival circuits than mainstream Hindi fare.
Key Takeaways
'Tighee' , starring Nehha Pendse , won the Best Screenplay award at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) .
The screening was a full house, followed by a Q&A with Pendse and director Jeejivisha Kale .
The ensemble is led by Bharati Achrekar , Nehha Pendse , and Sonalee Kulkarni .
Producers include Shradul Singh Bayas , Nehha Pendse Bayas , Nikhil Mahajan , Suhrud Godbole , and Swapnil Bhangale .
The film explores womanhood, resilience, and a complex mother-daughter relationship.
Marathi drama 'Tighee', headlined by actress Nehha Pendse, drew a full-house screening and bagged the Best Screenplay honour at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), in a notable global moment for regional Indian cinema. The film's lead and co-producer represented the team at the festival alongside director Jeejivisha Kale.
A packed house in New York
The special screening of 'Tighee' played to a packed auditorium, with audiences responding warmly to its storytelling and performances. Pendse and Kale also joined a post-screening Q&A, fielding audience questions on the film's themes and craft.
What Nehha Pendse said
Reflecting on the reception, Pendse said, “Being at NYIFF and witnessing a full-house screening for Tighee was immensely special. The conversations that followed the screening were deeply enriching, and it was wonderful to see audiences engage so passionately with the film. This journey has been extremely rewarding for our entire team, and I am proud to represent Marathi cinema on such a prestigious global platform.”
Producer's note
Producer Shradul Singh Bayas called the response a validation of the film's emotional core. “We are incredibly proud to see Tighee receive such love at NYIFF. The overwhelming response from a global audience is a testament to the film's universal emotions and the hard work of our entire team. It's a proud moment for all of us and hats off to the entire team for their incredible hardwork,” he said.
Cast, crew and backers
'Tighee' is jointly backed by Shradul Singh Bayas, Nehha Pendse Bayas, Nikhil Mahajan, Suhrud Godbole, and Swapnil Bhangale. The ensemble is led by Bharati Achrekar, Nehha Pendse, and Sonalee Kulkarni, with a supporting cast rounding out the drama.
What the film explores
The film examines womanhood, relationships, resilience, and self-discovery through the layered emotional terrain of a mother-daughter bond whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways. The screenplay win at NYIFF is expected to amplify festival circuit interest ahead of any wider rollout, with the team signalling that international engagement has only just begun.
Point of View
While big-budget Hindi productions struggle to land at curated festivals. 'Tighee' joins a growing list of Marathi films — from 'Court' to 'Sthal' — that punch well above their marketing weight abroad. The real test now is theatrical and OTT distribution at home, where Marathi cinema still battles screen-share against Hindi tentpoles. Festival prestige is necessary, but it does not pay for screens.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film 'Tighee' about?
'Tighee' is a Marathi drama that explores womanhood, relationships, resilience, and self-discovery through the emotional complexities of a mother-daughter relationship. The narrative follows two women whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways.
What award did 'Tighee' win at NYIFF?
'Tighee' won the Best Screenplay award at the New York Indian Film Festival. The screening was a full house and was followed by a post-screening Q&A with the team.
Who stars in and directs 'Tighee'?
The film is directed by Jeejivisha Kale and stars Bharati Achrekar, Nehha Pendse, and Sonalee Kulkarni in lead roles, with a supporting ensemble cast.
Who are the producers of 'Tighee'?
The film is jointly produced by Shradul Singh Bayas, Nehha Pendse Bayas, Nikhil Mahajan, Suhrud Godbole, and Swapnil Bhangale.
Why does the NYIFF win matter for Marathi cinema?
The Best Screenplay win at a prestigious global Indian film festival amplifies international visibility for Marathi cinema and signals strong cross-cultural resonance for regional storytelling. It strengthens the case for wider festival and OTT distribution.
