Program Note
When talking about the innovation of Indian cinema, Anurag Kashyap is the one always be mentioned. He shook the Bollywood-style commercial film industry, which was characterized by presenting various genres, such as film noir and gangster films, and gained recognition as one of the few Indian directors to receive international acclaim at prestigious film festivals. Anurag Kashyap, a talented screenplay writer and director, has now returned with a full-fledged neo-noir genre. The film is set in the corrupt and immoral city of Mumbai, where a former police officer and hitman named Uday Shetty, who exists and yet doesn’t, shares his dark story. Uday, who killed the sister of a famous actress during a mission, loses his precious son as a consequence, and is abandoned by his own family. Becoming a legally deceased entity on paper, Uday lives as a secret law enforcement agent, carrying out assassinations and cover-ups, while dreaming only of revenge for his loss. The film skillfully captures the narrative of a vengeful and ruthless former police officer, combining sensuality, grandeur, and elegance. It was officially invited to the Midnight Screenings of 2023 Cannes Film Festival. (KIM Young-woo)