Gajendra Ahire's next gets an Oscar screening

Acclaimed director Gajendra Ahire, known for Marathi films like The Silence, Pimpal and Anumati, stands to make history as his Hindi-English film

Dear Molly

recently got an Oscar screening in order to be shortlisted for an Oscar entry.

If shortlisted, the Indo-Swedish collaboration will be in the fray of nominations for the main pool of awards and not the Foreign Language category, informs Gajendra. "It's a film which has a mix of Swedish and Indian actors. We had a screening of the English version of the film for the Oscar jury recently and will know their decision in a few days," he says.

Dear Molly features actors Alok Rajwade, Mrinmayee Godbole and debutant

Gurbani

Gill in important roles, besides some Swedish actors like Lia Boysen and Chris Holmgren. "The film has been extensively shot in Sweden. We were at Stickholm for a film festival and that's when the idea of shooting a film here struck me," shares the director. The film is based on a father-daughter relationship and explores the journey of a daughter in search of her father.

Speaking about choosing Alok and Mrinmayee, both Puneites, for the film, Gajendra adds, "I have worked with Alok in Pimpal and knew his strengths as an actor. The reason behind casting Mrinmayee was that I felt this particular role suited her. Gurbani was selected through a round of auditions."

Though the filmmaker says that Dear Molly will have a theatrical release, he shares that the producers will take a call about the release date.




It is an honour for Dear Molly to have a special Oscar screening. It’s a very special film that I have shot in different languages but the essence remains the same. The English version is being screened in Los Angeles. It's a story of a daughter's search for her father, taking cues from a trail of letters he wrote to her.- Gajendra Ahire