Mouni Roy, Anupriya Goenka's 'Bombay Stories' first look unveiled at Cannes 2026
Mumbai, May 21
The first look of Mouni Roy and Anupriya Goenka's upcoming film 'Bombay Stories' was unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival 2026.
The film is set for its world premiere at Marche du Film during the festival. The cast, director and producers were present in Cannes for the launch.
Directed by Rahhat Shah Kazmi, Bombay Stories is an India-UK-USA co-production. The film is inspired by the writings of Saadat Hasan Manto and draws from his stories such as Hatak, Khusya, Bu and others.
The film is set in Bombay and follows stories of loneliness, desire, pain and survival. It looks at people who live under the city's bright and busy surface.
The first-look posters showed the film's dark mood and its intense characters. The film also carries the line, "If you cannot bear these stories, then society itself is unbearable."
Speaking about the film, Mouni Roy, as per a release, said, "What attracted me to Bombay Stories was its emotional honesty. These characters are vulnerable, broken, yet deeply human. Manto's world still feels frighteningly relevant today."
Anupriya Goenka also spoke about the project, saying, "This film is not just an adaptation; it is an experience. The writing is fearless, and every character carries emotional scars that stay with you long after the story ends."
The film stars Mouni Roy, Anupriya Goenka and an ensemble cast. It is produced by Rahhat Shah Kazmi, Tariq Khan, Zeba Sajid, Mouni Roy, Sonali's Music Room, Gargi Productions and Monica Aggarwal, in association with Mango Tree Entertainment, UFI Productions, Alphaa Productions and ASHPRO UK.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, a film that doesn't shy away from the dark underbelly of Bombay! Manto's writing is hauntingly relevant even today - the loneliness and struggle of city life never really changes. Anupriya Goenka is a powerhouse performer, and this looks like a bold step for her. Can't wait for the premiere!
I hope they do justice to Manto's work. His stories are difficult to adapt because they are so deeply rooted in the Partition era and its trauma. The tagline 'If you cannot bear these stories, then society itself is unbearable' is powerful but also a challenge - will Indian audiences be ready for such unfiltered storytelling? Let's see.
As someone who loves cross-cultural cinema, this India-UK-USA co-production sounds fascinating! Mouni Roy and Anupriya Goenka are both talented actresses who bring depth to their roles. The first-look posters look moody and intense - exactly like Manto's world. This is the kind of film that puts Indian storytelling on the global map without losing its soul. 🙌
While I appreciate the ambition, I wonder if Manto's work is being used as a 'brand' for international festivals without truly understanding its context. His stories about women, desire, and societal hypocrisy are not just dark - they are deeply uncomfortable. Let's hope this is more than just a glossy adaptation and actually retains his critical edge. Still, proud to see Indian cinema push boundaries.
Bombay always has so many untold stories beneath its shiny surface. Mouni Roy choosing such a meaningful project shows
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