Swaha (film)
| Swaha: In the Name of Fire | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Abhilash Sharma |
| Written by | Shilpee Bhardwaj Abhilash Sharma |
| Produced by | Vikash Sharma |
| Starring | Chandra Shekhar Dutta Satya Ranjan Sonalli Sharmisstha |
| Cinematography | Devendra Golatkar |
| Edited by | Suresh Pai Abhilash Sharma Visual effects supervisor: Balakrishna P. Subaiah |
| Music by | Mohandas V.P. (Sound design) Sound recordist: Neethu Mohandas Re-recording mixer: Souvik Phukan |
Production company | Prajna Film |
Release date |
|
Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Magahi |
Swaha (English: In the Name of Fire) is a 2024 Magahi feature film directed by Abhilash Sharma.[1] The film tells tells a dark and emotional story of a woman struggling to feed her newborn while living in a hut in a deserted space.[2] It got official selections at 26th Shanghai International Film Festival 2024, International Film Festival of Kerala 2024, Lucca Film Festival, ImagineIndia International Film Festival 2024, 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival and Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival 2025.[3][4][5][6]
Plot
[edit]Set in the rural east Indian state of Bihar, the film follows a family whose members were quite unlucky to be born into the Dalit caste. The determined mother, abandoned by her husband, ventures out on a quest for a meager living. She fights societal challenges to feed her child. She confronts the chilling belief that her husband's return demands a sacrifice - her most cherished essence, entangled with mystical whispers.[7]
Cast
[edit]- Chandra Shekhar Dutta as Nehura, Crematory worker
- Satya Ranjan as Phekan
- Sonalli Sharmisstha as Rukhia
- Buloo Kumar as Choudhri
- Kunal Kumar as Bablu
- Ravi Kumar
- Sarbind Kumar as Crematorium Manager
- Sriparna Chakrobothy as Woman on Train
Release
[edit]Swaha had its World Premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival 2024, China in the Asian New Talent Competition section.[8] It was showcased at the 30th Kolkata International Film Festival on 5 December 2024 in the Unheard India: Rare Language Films section.[9] The film was screened at the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala on 15, 17 and 19 December 2024.[10][11][12]
Reception
[edit]Marko Stojiljković of Asian Movie Pulse reviewed, "Swaha: In the Name of Fire seems like a social, to a point even anthropological study that tries to pose as an artsy fiction film. It is certainly a well crafted, demanding watch, but the question is whether it is also a rewarding one."[13] Nandini Ramnath of Scroll observed, "A miserabilist air hangs over the film as does a cruel fog. Never is the suggestion that the characters are trapped by circumstances stronger than in Rukhiya's experience. The section of the plot revolving around Rukhiya, although well-intended, is heavy-handed and descends into melodrama."[14]
Accolades
[edit]| Festival | Award | Winner's name | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26th Shanghai International Film Festival 2024: Asian New Talent Competition | Golden Goblet Award for Best Director | Abhilash Sharma | Won | [15] |
| Best Actor | Satya Ranjan | Won | ||
| Best Film | Abhilash Sharma | Nominated | ||
| Best Script Writer | Shilpee Bhardwaj & Abhilash Sharma | Nominated | ||
| Best Cinematographer | Devendra Golatkar | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ DIPANKAR SARKAR. "An Interview with 'In the Name of Fire' Filmmaker Abhilash Sharma". Vague Visages. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ Sweta Kaushal. "Explore The Haunting Story Of A Mom With 'Swaha'". Forbes. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "SWAHA (IN THE NAME OF FIRE) - 2024 - 99' - AIFF". aifilmfest.in. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "Swaha (In the name of fire)". www.luccafilmfestival.it. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "In the Name of Fire (2024)". mubi.com. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "In The Name of Fire (Abhilash Sharma)". imagineindiafestival.com. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "Swaha, a Magahi language Black & White feature to have its India Premiere at the International Film Festival of Kerala". Travel2Films. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "Abhilash Sharma's Swaha To Have Its India Premiere At The International Film Festival Of Kerala 2024". Outlook. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "30th Kolkata International Film Festival - Venue Wise Schedule". kiff.in. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "IFFK - Official Selection - Swaha". iffk.in. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ Dharitri Ganguly. "Abhilash Sharma's 'Swaha', a Magahi language feature, to have its India premiere at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) 2024". Indulge Express. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "Magahi film 'Swaha' to premiere at International Film Festival of Kerala". The Week. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ Marko Stojiljković. "Film Review: In the Name of Fire (2024) by Abhilash Sharma". Asian Movie Pulse. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ Nandini Ramnath. "'Swaha' review: A visually striking exploration of rural blight". Scroll. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "Golden Goblet Awards winner SWAHA – In the Name of Fire to have its Indian premiere at Int Film Fest of Kerala- IFFK". Filmy Town. Retrieved 25 March 2025.