Director Rohan Kanawade is set to release his debut feature film Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears) in Indian theatres on September 19. After a long and thoughtful creative journey, the Marathi-language film is finally ready to meet its home audience.
Rohan Kanawade reflects on Sabar Bonda ahead of its India release: says a gentle exploration of love, loss, and healing
Developed through the Biennale College Cinema and the Venice Gap-Financing Market, Sabar Bonda went on to win the prestigious Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival. The international acclaim helped the film travel to several festivals and gather widespread appreciation. It was later picked up for Indian distribution by Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media.
In an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times, Rohan Kanawade opened up about the film’s journey, creative decisions, and what makes Sabar Bonda a deeply personal and emotionally resonant love story.
Looking Ahead to the Release
Now that the release is around the corner, Rohan said he was simply looking forward to finally watching the film with his loved ones. “I’m just excited for the release. I told my family that I’ll buy tickets and we’ll all go to watch it together. So yes, I’m really happy and curious to see how people react,” he said with a smile.
A Story Rooted in Grief and Tenderness
Set in a quiet Maharashtrian village, Sabar Bonda follows Anand (played by Bhushaan Manoj), a 30-something man raised in the city who returns to his ancestral home after the passing of his father. There, he reconnects with a childhood friend (played by Suraaj Suman), and a gentle romance begins to unfold. The film explores themes of loss, memory, and love—without leaning into melodrama. Rohan explained that while grief is central to the story, he never intended to make a sad film. “From the beginning, I knew I didn’t want to end the film on a tragic note. I wanted it to be warm and tender—about moving through grief, not being crushed by it. Even though some mentors at the lab suggested otherwise, I stuck to my vision. I was clear: this story needed to offer hope, even if not full-blown happiness,” he shared.
Sound as a Storytelling Element
One of the unique aspects of Sabar Bonda is its use of natural sound over traditional background music. In fact, the film’s soundscape is intricately woven into the script.
Rohan recalled a particularly memorable moment in the film where two characters converse while cattle pass by in the background, their bells adding an organic rhythm to the scene. “I made a conscious choice to avoid background music. I knew I wanted to let natural sounds speak. That decision was made even before I wrote the script. I wanted readers to hear the film on paper,” he said. He worked closely with sound designers Naren and Anirban to build this immersive experience, using Dolby Atmos to capture a 360-degree sound environment. “When I visited the village, I could hear life happening all around me. That’s what I wanted to bring to the screen—so audiences feel grounded in Anand’s world, just as he is,” Rohan explained.
A Film Years in the Making
Sabar Bonda has taken years to come to life, and its journey through international labs and festivals has shaped it in significant ways. With a story that gently explores love and healing, Rohan Kanawade’s debut feature is poised to strike a chord with Indian audiences as it finally arrives in theatres nationwide on September 19.
BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2025 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.