Stories centred on dysfunctional families and the women within them have increasingly found space in cinema. From the Hindi film Maa Behen to the critically acclaimed Marathi film Tighee, filmmakers are exploring the complexities of mother-daughter and sisterly relationships with greater depth and nuance.

Directed by Jeejivisha Kale, Tighee earned acclaim and won the Best Screenplay award at the New York Indian Film Festival, with writers Nikhil Mahajan and Prajakta Deshmukh being recognized for their work. The film stars actress-producer Nehha Pendse alongside Bharati Achrekar and Sonalee Kulkarni in pivotal roles.

Reflecting on the growing exploration of womanhood, relationships, resilience, and self-discovery in contemporary cinema, Nehha says, “For years, the right or leverage to be flawed was handed down to male characters, and that was accepted and even applauded. Women, on the other hand, were expected to carry the weight of morality and rationality while being the epitome of love and sacrifice. While those expectations still exist, very little thought was given to the fact that women, just like men, are layered individuals. They are human, constantly figuring things out, and they too can make mistakes. Tighee worked because all three women in the film were flawed, and women in the audience finally felt represented. We have realized that being put on a pedestal is a trap, and we are no longer willing to accept it, either in life or in the representation of women on screen.”

She further adds, “Life is complex, and so are the relationships we build. Many of these stories are shaped by women and their lived experiences. Marathi cinema has always embraced strong, women-centric narratives, and I believe it is important that more films are told from a woman’s perspective. These stories are relatable, meaningful, and deserve to be seen more often on screen.”

Speaking about Tighee being showcased at the prestigious festival, she says, “It still feels surreal. The response we received after the screening was truly overwhelming and deeply gratifying. Taking Tighee to an international audience has been a long-cherished dream, and watching the film resonate with people across cultures has been incredibly fulfilling.”

If you ask Rasika Dugal, there is nothing little about Little Thomas. She always knew that the film had a big heart, and now it turns out, it comes with big rewards too. The Anurag Kashyap-produced movie, starring Gulshan Devaiah and Dugal, has earned three nominations — Best Actor for the leads, and Best Debut Film for director Kaushal Oza — at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) 2025. 

Dugal is delighted to be recognized for her performance in the slice-of-life film that is set in Goa of the 1990s and follows the efforts of seven-year-old Thomas to bring his parents together. The actor says, “Playing Jessie Miranda was a fun experience. I am grateful that the work is being appreciated, and looking forward to the audience’s response when the film will be screened at the festival. Film festival audiences are discerning, and it’s always wonderful to receive their view of the work.”

Though Devaiah pays little attention to awards, he admits it’s gratifying to receive a nomination for “the sweetest film” in his 15-year career. “I don’t think about awards or recognition when it comes to my work; I only focus on my personal journey as an actor. [But] I loved being part of this sweet film,” he says.

Oza says he is thrilled to return to NYIFF after his short film The Miniaturist of Junagadh’s (2022) premiere at the festival. "So, this time I am delighted that Little Thomas has been nominated at the same festival for the best debut film. What really puts the cherry on the cake is the nominations for both the actors!" he says.

Sanya Malhotra’s Mrs appears to be something of a festival favourite. Last year, Arati Kadav’s directorial venture had its world première at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, after which it was screened at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Now, the drama—an adaptation of the acclaimed Malayalam movie, The Great Indian Kitchen (2021)—has been chosen as the closing film of the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) 2024 that kicks off tomorrow.

Kadav says that the cinephile in her would always catch up on screenings at the NYIFF. Having her movie screened at the same festival on June 2 then is a surreal moment. “I look forward to the films screened at the NYIFF every year. So, I feel privileged that we’ve been chosen as the closing film. With this film, our aim is to connect with Indian audiences living not just in India, but also abroad, and this platform helps us reach the diaspora,” she says.

Mrs tells the story of Richa, a dancer whose life is suddenly confined to the kitchen after she marries into a conservative family. To Malhotra, the Jio Studios drama—also starring Nishant Dahiya and Kanwaljit Singh—stands for a woman’s strength and resilience, while questioning patriarchy.

The actor shares, “Playing Richa, a character grappling with the delicate balance between tradition and ambition, was an immense responsibility, given that it embodies the struggles of so many Indian women.”