PLAY

In a rural Indian village, a young boy named Kisan dreams of becoming an actor. He finds an unlikely mentor in a nomadic puppeteer who teaches him about storytelling and performance. Their journey is fraught with challenges as Kisan navigates societal expectations and his own burgeoning artistic aspirations. The film explores themes of childhood innocence, the power of imagination, and the pursuit of dreams against a backdrop of cultural tradition.

Kiran Rao's 'Play' was met with generally positive reviews, with particular praise for its sensitive portrayal of childhood and its visual storytelling. Critics often highlighted the performances, especially from the young lead, and the film's gentle, observational tone. While some found the pacing to be slow, the overall sentiment was that it offered a nuanced and heartwarming look at a young boy's journey of self-discovery.

• Praised for its authentic depiction of rural Indian life and childhood dreams.

• Nawazuddin Siddiqui's performance as the puppeteer was a standout, offering guidance and charm.

• The film's visual beauty and emotional resonance were frequently commended.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally appreciate the film's heartwarming story and strong performances, particularly noting its authentic portrayal of childhood dreams and rural Indian culture. Some viewers found the narrative a bit slow-paced but ultimately found the film to be a touching and visually appealing experience.

Nominated for the NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The film was originally conceived as a short film before expanding into its feature-length narrative, allowing for deeper character development and thematic exploration.