Produced by Island Filmmaker Samhita Veda Acharyaa, the Acclaimed Feature Set to Screen Tomorrow at Kolkata’s Iconic Nandan
Kolkata / Port Blair, Sept. 9: In a proud moment for island cinema, Handumaan — a feature film shot entirely in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands — has been officially selected for screening at the prestigious 5th World Film Festival in Kolkata.
The film will be screened tomorrow at Nandan, Kolkata’s legendary cultural hub and a dream venue for filmmakers across Eastern India and beyond. The screening marks a monumental achievement in bringing the unique stories, culture, and cinematic talent of the Andaman Islands to national and international audiences.
The 5th World Film Festival is organized by the Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI), Eastern Region, in collaboration with the embassies of Brazil, Costa Rica, Spain, and Venezuela in India. This year’s festival showcases 38 curated films from different parts of the world, fostering global cinematic celebration and cross-cultural dialogue.
About the Film & Creative Team
Handumaan has been directed by Prashant Rasaily and produced by island girl Samhita Veda Acharyaa, an independent director and producer born and raised in the Andamans. Samhita Veda Acharya has a prolific record of producing 22 films, with many of her documentaries previously selected for prominent film festivals across India.
Before making its way to Kolkata, Handumaan earned appreciation at other distinguished forums, having been screened at the Sikkim International Film Festival earlier this year and the Jalgaon Film Festival.
Spotlighting Local Island Talent
Beyond showcasing the scenic beauty of the Andaman archipelago, Handumaan brings local island talent to the forefront, featuring performances by notable local actors, including:
Smti. Geetanjali Acharya (Veteran Actress)
Shri. Madan Gupta
Shri. Ehtesham Ahmed Khan
Shri. Anil Kumar
Ms. Ashwini Muralidharan
The team expressed immense joy and gratitude for this recognition, noting that presenting an Andaman-made film at a sacred cinema space like Nandan fulfills a long-cherished dream and opens new avenues for filmmakers from the region