Vishwendra Singh's ‘Khoriya’ premieres at Busan, leading Future East Film’s 2026-27 lineup.
Future East Film has announced that Vishwendra Singh’s debut feature, ‘Khoriya’, will lead its 2026-27 slate, making its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival. This announcement was reported by Variety on September 3, 2026. The film, primarily shot in Nepali and Hindi, delves into the lives of Nepali migrant workers navigating the complexities of life in India.
‘Khoriya’ centers around two Nepali half-brothers running a poultry farm on the outskirts of Delhi, whose lives are disrupted by a bird flu outbreak. The narrative explores their struggles with dignity and yearning for personal connection against the backdrop of urban challenges. Niharika Singh, Faraz Khan, and Prayas Deepti produce the film, with Ahluwalia serving as executive producer. This portrayal of migrant labor and the quest for a better life underscores poignant social issues relevant to many.
Alongside ‘Khoriya,’ Future East's upcoming lineup also includes Ashim Ahluwalia’s ‘Unidentified Actress’, currently in production and featuring a documentary filmmaker who searches for a vanished movie star. Additionally, Rayit Hashmat Qazi’s ‘Sawdust’ presents a gripping tale set in Kashmir about a young cricketer grappling with personal and familial obstacles. Furthermore, the slate features the India-Italy collaboration, ‘Heroic Frenzies,’ inspired by the true story of a 16th-century monk's rebellion against the church.
Vishwendra Singh’s approach to ‘Khoriya’ comes from a deeply personal understanding of the migrant experience, informed by his documentary work in 2019, which highlighted the struggles of lesser-represented communities. His storytelling avoids objectifying its subjects, focusing instead on their emotional depth and resilience. This aligns with Future East’s mission to support films that bring underrepresented narratives to the forefront.
According to Singh, the film aims to capture the silent struggles and tender nuances of people who migrate for a dignified life. Producer Niharika Singh comments on the film’s focus on the specific community while addressing universal themes of belonging and aspiration.
Future East Film, founded by Ahluwalia, has a storied history in Indian independent cinema, having produced various critically acclaimed projects since its inception in 2005, including ‘John & Jane’, ‘Miss Lovely’, and the recent Netflix series ‘Cla$$’. The company aims to continue its legacy of telling authentic stories through ‘Khoriya’, showcasing a contemporary perspective on Indian society.
Ahluwalia emphasizes the importance of diversifying representation within cinema and committing to narratives that resonate with contemporary issues, particularly through ‘Khoriya,’ which exemplifies this approach.
The world premiere of ‘Khoriya’ at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival signifies a pivotal moment for Vishwendra Singh and Future East Film, marking the evolution and recognition of independent cinema in India. This is an opportunity for audiences to engage with stories about migrant workers, highlighting the urgent need for empathy and understanding within today's globalized world.
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