Sundance-winning producer Neeraj Churi has joined forces with U.S. filmmaker Daniel Talbott to produce Starvation, a Mumbai-based queer feature film. The project marks the first collaboration between Churi’s Lotus Visual Prods and Talbott’s Orphan Andy Films. Written and directed by Film and Television Institute of India graduates Saurav Mahind and Tejas Shende, the film centers on a queer love story set against Mumbai’s urban landscape, exploring themes of identity, hunger, and survival. The producers announced the project exclusively to Variety on Wednesday, confirming casting and financing details are still under wraps as filming approaches later this year.

Mumbai’s queer stories get global backing

Churi, known for producing the 2012 Sundance hit I Am and the 2014 Oscar-nominated Liar’s Dice, brings significant experience in Indian independent cinema to the project. Talbott, founder of Orphan Andy Films, has previously worked on films like The Long Dream and The Big Wedding, expanding his reach into international co-productions. Their joint venture aims to amplify queer narratives from India on a global stage, a move that aligns with recent trends in film festivals prioritizing underrepresented voices. The film’s Mumbai setting adds authenticity, drawing from the city’s vibrant queer subcultures and its complex relationship with visibility and acceptance.

First-time directors bring fresh perspective

Mahind and Shende, both graduates of the Film and Television Institute of India, are making their feature debut with Starvation. The film follows a young queer couple navigating love and survival in a city that often ignores or marginalizes their existence. Sources close to the project say the script blends raw realism with poetic storytelling, inspired by real-life experiences of Mumbai’s LGBTQ+ community. The directors have previously collaborated on short films and documentaries, but Starvation represents their first narrative feature, positioning them as rising voices in Indian queer cinema.

Funding and release plans take shape

While Churi and Talbott haven’t disclosed the budget or exact filming locations, insiders say Mumbai’s iconic spots like Marine Drive and Colaba will play key roles. The producers are eyeing film festivals in 2025 for the world premiere, with potential distribution deals already in early discussions. Talbott emphasized the film’s universal themes, stating, “We wanted to tell a story about hunger—not just for food, but for love and acceptance—that resonates everywhere.” Churi added that the project fits into Lotus Visual Prods’ broader push to back diverse Indian stories with international appeal.

The film’s title, Starvation, hints at both literal and metaphorical hunger—the physical kind that haunts Mumbai’s working-class neighborhoods and the emotional kind that queer individuals often face in a society slow to embrace them. Early whispers suggest the script includes unflinching portrayals of Mumbai’s nightlife and underground queer spaces, offering a rare glimpse into a world rarely seen in mainstream Indian cinema. The producers are also in talks with Mumbai-based queer activists to ensure the film’s portrayal stays respectful and accurate.

For now, the team is focused on finalizing casting and securing additional financing. Talbott hinted that a high-profile Indian actor might join the project, though no names have been confirmed. Churi, meanwhile, is leveraging his Sundance connections to attract international buyers even before filming wraps. If successful, Starvation could join the ranks of recent Indian queer films like Bombay Begums and Made in Heaven that have gained traction on global platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Variety
  • Published: May 17, 2026 at 05:15 UTC
  • Category: Entertainment
  • Topics: #variety · #movies · #hollywood · #entertainment · #sundance-winner-neeraj · #churi

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 17, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O cinema queer indiano ganha um novo marco com “Starvation”, primeiro longa do diretor formado pela renomada Film and Television Institute of India, que acaba de garantir apoio de nomes poderosos do mercado, como o produtor vencedores do Sundance Neeraj Churi e Daniel Talbott. O projeto, que explora temas como identidade e marginalização, promete trazer à tona uma narrativa ainda pouco discutida no subcontinente, mas que ressoa fortemente no Brasil, onde a luta por representatividade LGBTQIA+ continua em evidência.

A parceria entre a Orphan Andy Films e os produtores internacionais reforça a crescente visibilidade do cinema queer indiano, um movimento que, embora ainda tímido, vem ganhando força em festivais globais e despertando interesse em plateias brasileiras, acostumadas a discutir — e consumir — produções que abordam diversidade e resistência. Para o público lusófono, a estreia de “Starvation” representa não só um reflexo de lutas comuns contra preconceitos, mas também uma oportunidade de ampliar o diálogo sobre identidades invisibilizadas, sobretudo em países onde a homofobia ainda é estrutural.

Com previsão de estreia em festivais internacionais ainda este ano, o filme deve reforçar os laços entre as cinematografias emergentes da Índia e do Brasil, provando que a arte pode ser um poderoso instrumento de transformação social.