‘Kaansya’ Will Screen at the Cinevesture International Film Festival
Mumbai, 18th March 2025: ‘Kaansya’ – an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s ‘Troilus and Cressida’, reimagined within Haryana’s traditional wrestling community, is set to be screened at the Cinevesture International Film Festival in Chandigarh on the 20th and 22nd of March.
Directed by debut filmmaker Aditya Watts, ‘Kaansya’ (which translates to ‘bronzed’ in English) tells the story of Sonam, the wife of a respected akhada owner, who elopes with Randeep, the son of a rival family. Their forbidden love rekindles long-standing feuds, drawing both families into a devastating conflict.
The film stars Vaarun Bhagat (Inside Edge), Lakshya Goel (‘Trial by Fire’), Kritika Pande (The Song of Scorpions) and Saahhil Sethi (Life Hill Gayi) among others, in pivotal roles.
It was also an official selection at the 2024 Girona Film Festival in Spain.
Watts, who co-wrote the screenplay with Aditya Dabas, has previously directed six short films and is an alumnus of Whistling Woods International, Mumbai, where he studied film direction.
Watts also wrote ‘Mahakaal’, a fantasy web series project that was officially selected for the 2024 edition of the NFDC Screenwriters Lab.
The making of Kaansya spanned four years, overcoming several production challenges along the way. Watts’ filmmaking journey is a testament to the determination and passion that drive independent filmmakers in India.
Speaking about the screening of ‘Kaansya’ at the Cinevesture International Film Festival, director Aditya Watts said “When I first read Troilus and Cressida, I was struck by its raw portrayal of human desires and conflicts. Adapting it to Haryana’s wrestling culture allowed me to explore these themes through an Indian lens. I’m honored that Kaansya will screen at the Cinevesture International Film Festival alongside films made by such talented filmmakers.”
