Guwahati, May 17 — An Assamese feature film, Aakuti (Longing), has been selected for the New York Indian Film Festival 2026 (NYIFF) and will receive its World Premiere there on May 30. The 1-hour 34-minute debut feature from director Snigdha P Roy tells the emotional story of an eight-year-old girl haunted by the loss of her mother and the delicate bond she shares with her father.
Written, directed and edited by Roy, Aakuti was previously chosen for the “Film Bazaar Recommends” section at Waves Film Bazaar 2025 and was produced on a modest budget by a small, committed team. “Being selected by the NYIFF and nominated alongside some remarkable films is an honour for all of us. It feels like a meaningful acknowledgement of the passion and resilience that went into making the film possible,” Roy said.
The film was co-produced by Roy and Tanuja P Roy under the banner of PKR Films. Cinematography is by Chida Bora, sound design by Debajit Gayan and the background score by Ashutosh Sohoni. Reflecting on the film’s journey, producer Tanuja said, “It is the debut feature from PKR Films, and its journey from inception to the international stage at the NYIFF is a significant milestone for our team,” adding that the film rests on minimalistic storytelling and raw human connection.
Kavisha Mahanta plays the title role of Lakhi. The cast also includes Nilim Chetia, Anisha Hazarika, Arun Hazarika and Ananya Hazarika in key roles. Aakuti follows Lakhi as she tries to fill the void left by her mother-sketching faces she cannot remember-while her father Bishnu struggles to reach her. A close friendship offers Bishnu support and the prospect of a future together, but complications prevent that hope from becoming reality, and Lakhi remains unaware of the adults’ inner lives.
The selection at NYIFF brings the Assamese drama to an international audience, spotlighting regional storytelling and the film’s intimate exploration of grief, longing and familial love.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/assamese-film-aakuti-set-for-world-premiere-at-new-york-indian-film-festival-1611724
Category: Assam,Entertainment,Featured
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Publish Date: 2026-05-17 13:35:00
