On September 7, 2025, the 82nd Venice Film Festival concluded at Venice Lido, Italy, with Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy etching her name in history as the first Indian to win the Best Director award in the Orizzonti section for her debut feature, Songs of Forgotten Trees. Presented by Anurag Kashyap and starring Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel, the film, a poignant tale of two migrant women in Mumbai, captivated audiences and the jury, led by French filmmaker Julia Ducournau.
A Groundbreaking Debut
Songs of Forgotten Trees, the sole Indian entry in the Orizzonti section—known for bold, innovative voices—explores the lives of Thooya, an aspiring actress surviving through wit and uneasy compromises, and Swetha, a corporate worker subletting Thooya’s upscale apartment. Their fragile bond, set against Mumbai’s relentless pulse, weaves a narrative of loneliness, resilience, and sisterhood. Roy, who self-funded the film while juggling three corporate jobs, drew inspiration from her childhood friend Jhuma Nath, lost to child marriage, making the story deeply personal. The film’s raw performances and understated tone, with long takes and a haunting score by Nishant Ramteke, earned praise for its authenticity.
A Tearful Dedication to Women
Clad in a white saree, Roy accepted the award with tears, calling the moment “surreal” and dedicating it to “every woman who’s been silenced, overlooked, or underestimated,” . Her bold speech also addressed the Gaza crisis, stating, “Every child deserves peace, freedom, and liberation, and Palestine is no exception,” sparking both applause and debate on X. Anurag Kashyap, who backed the film, lauded Roy’s conviction, saying, “She stayed true to her vision,” while producer Bibhanshu Rai noted, “Her fire kept us going.”
A Global Milestone for Indian Cinema
As Father, Mother, Sister, Brother won the Golden Lion, and The Voice of Hind Rajab took the Grand Jury Prize with a 23-minute ovation, Roy’s victory stood out, echoing Satyajit Ray’s 1957 Golden Lion. In India, where 780 languages shape diverse narratives, her win inspired fans like Kolkata’s Priya Menon, who said, “Anuparna’s story feels like ours.” Will Songs of Forgotten Trees spark a wave of women-centric Indian cinema? As Roy preps new scripts on marginalized voices, her Venice triumph signals a bold new chapter, proving authentic stories resonate universally.
-By Manoj H