On September 1, 2025, Jio Studios announced that two films produced by fashion icon Manish Malhotra, Bun Tikki and Saali Mohabbat, will be showcased at the 16th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF), running from September 18 to 21, 2025. Malhotra, through his Stage5 Production, collaborates with Jio Studios. The films, featured in the “From India to the World” section, highlight diverse Indian narratives. Screenings at Matrix Club, Naperville, and AMC River East 21, Chicago, September 19–21, 2025. Malhotra’s cinematic vision brings compelling stories to a global audience.
A Milestone for Manish Malhotra’s Stage5 Production
Manish Malhotra, renowned for designing iconic Bollywood costumes, ventured into film production with Stage5 Production in 2022. Saali Mohabbat, marking Tisca Chopra’s directorial debut, opens CSAFF on September 19, 2025, with a gripping tale of a small-town woman confronting domestic violence and betrayal, starring Radhika Apte, Anshumaan Pushkar, Divyenndu, and Anurag Kashyap. Bun Tikki, a marquee film on September 21, directed by Faraz Arif Ansari, explores a young child’s identity struggles in urban India, featuring Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, Abhay Deol, Nushrratt Bharuccha, and Rohaan Singh. Both films are produced by Malhotra, Jyoti Deshpande, Dinesh Malhotra, and Marijke DeSousa.
Celebrating Diverse Indian Stories
The CSAFF selection, part of the “From India to the World” curated section, underscores India’s evolving cinematic landscape. Saali Mohabbat, a suspenseful “whodunit” that premiered at IFFI Goa 2024, examines rural-urban divides, with Malhotra praising its “intense and thrilling narrative.” Bun Tikki, following its world premiere at the 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival, is a poignant father-son drama set in Nainital, lauded for its emotional depth and universal themes of love and acceptance, per reports. Jio Studios’ Instagram post celebrated Bun Tikki as a “soul-stirring story,” .
Challenges and Future Prospects
While CSAFF offers a prestigious platform, limited screenings may restrict audience reach. Malhotra’s ambitious pivot faces pressure to match his fashion legacy, with Saali Mohabbat’s IFFI success setting high expectations. Will these films elevate Indian cinema globally or remain festival gems? As Bun Tikki and Saali Mohabbat prepare to captivate Chicago audiences, Malhotra’s storytelling venture, backed by Jio Studios, promises to leave a lasting mark.
-By Manoj H