Aparna Sen’s film, The Rapist, is set to have its world premiere at the 26th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). The film, which stars Konkona Sen Sharma, Arjun Rampal and Tanmay Dhanania, will be part of the ‘A Window On Asian Cinema’ section of the festival, which is scheduled to take place from October 6 to 15 in Haeundae district of South Korea’s Busan province.

The film is also nominated for the prestigious Kim Jiseok Award along with Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s No Land’s Man, which stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui. In a tweet this afternoon, Aparna Sen wrote, “We, the actors, technicians and producers are all delighted that our film THE RAPIST is premiering at the BUSAN Film Festival and has been nominated for the prestigious KIM JOSEOK AWARD. Congratulations, my comrades and my partners in crime! (sic)”

Speaking to us, Aparna Sen, who’s directed the film, said, “I’m usually very passionate about all my films, but was a little more involved with this one. I am happy that it will premiere in Busan, but I am more elated that the film will be one of the seven films to compete for the prestigious Kim Jiseok Award. My producers were very supportive while making this film and I feel that’s very helpful for a maker. I also worked with a young and talented crew. They literally have been by my side every moment. Working with Arjun Rampal was a very good experience.”

“It feels great to be nominated for the Kim Jiseok Award. Very few films get this honour and Ma, I and the whole team is elated after getting the news. I’ve been to the fest twice — around 20 year ago when Ma was in the jury, and in 2019 for Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare. But this year, both Ma and I have prior engagements and won’t be able to make it. The Rapist is also very special to me as I worked with Ma after a long gap post Goynar Baksho,” Konkona told us from a remote village in Kerala, where she’s currently shooting.

Arjun had also tweeted about the development earlier in the day. “Super excited and stoked. #TheRapist selected for competition at the prestigious #busanfilmfestival so proud of #aparnasen @konkona #tanmay @applausesocial the whole crew. Congratulations to all (sic),” he wrote.

On the other hand, Farooki’s No Land’s Man deals with discrimination and hate crimes based on race, religion and nationality. Speaking to us from Bangladesh, Farooki said, “We make films primarily because we feel increasingly agitated to tell the story. However when it gets some recognition or love, it always feels good. And when it’s from Busan, which is the premier festival for Asian voices, it’s really good.”

About working with Nawazuddin, the filmmaker said he always asserts that the most sensible actors are those who look extremely effortless on screen. “If I may give one example: when you see Leo Messi dribbling past four defenders, you’ll feel dribbling is the easiest thing in the world. Messi makes it look so effortless. Now if you see me dribbling, you will feel dribbling is the toughest thing in the world. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is one such rare actor who makes things look extremely effortless! He is fun to be with, work with,” he told us.

— With inputs from Ruman Ganguly