Ravi Shankar Kaushik's 'Flames' to be screened at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK)
Mumbai, Dec 12
Following a successful premiere at the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF), debutant Ravi Shankar Kaushik's survival thriller "Flames" is all set to make an impression at the prestigious International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).
The drama has been officially selected for the “Indian Cinema Now†section of the festival.
Director Ravi Shankar Kaushik decided to shed light on his latest creative triumph, saying, “Flames began from a deeply personal space, but it truly became what it is because of the collaborators who believed in the journey."
He added that shooting in rural northern India allowed them to explore layers of identity, survival, and social power structures in a way that felt honest.
Speaking about the film's premiere, he added, "The response at JAFF has been overwhelming, and I’m grateful that the film is finding resonance beyond its geography. I’m now looking forward to sharing it with audiences at IFFK.â€
Talking about the project, one of the producers, Suparn S Varma, shared, “What drew me to Flames was its emotional ferocity. Ravi has created a world that is lived in, haunting, and painfully human. Supporting this film and bringing it to JAFF was a privilege because this is the kind of Indian independent cinema that deserves global attention. The reception in Yogyakarta has been incredible, and it’s heartening to see audiences embrace such rooted storytelling. We are excited about taking the film next to IFFK, where it will meet an entirely new audience of cinephiles.â€
Backed by Suparn S Varma, Rashi Aggarwal, Suunil Jaiin, Aditya Joshi, and Shivam Gupta, with co-producers Jasdev Singh and Arpita Raghuwanshi, "Flames" stars Vikram Kochhar as the lead, who has worked in movies such as "Boong" and "No Land’s Man".
The drama also enjoys a striking ensemble of first-time actors from the villages of Jatauli and Lohari.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Shooting in rural North India to explore identity and power structures sounds very promising. Our regional stories have so much depth. Hope this opens doors for more such films. All the best to the team!
It's heartening to see a survival thriller getting recognition. The producer's point about "emotional ferocity" is intriguing. IFFK has a great audience for such content. Wishing them the best.
While I appreciate the effort, I hope the portrayal of rural life is nuanced and doesn't fall into stereotypes. Sometimes films with good intentions can still miss the mark. Respectfully, I'll wait for reviews.
So proud to see Indian films making waves internationally! JAFF and now IFFK is a big deal. The collaborative spirit the director mentions is what Indian cinema needs more of. Jatauli and Lohari will be on the map now!
Vikram Kochhar is a brilliant actor, underrated for sure. His choice of scripts is always interesting. Backing by producers like Suparn Varma is also a good sign. Definitely on my watchlist for the festival season.
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