‘’Aakuti" means longing. Eight-year-old Lakhi constantly longs for her mother, whom she lost as an infant. To cope with the void, she fills pages with drawings, trying to imagine her mother’s face—but is left frustrated and heartbroken. Her father Bishnu loves her deeply, but Lakhi remains withdrawn, caught in a web of inner turmoil and self-doubt. He tries his best to understand her, to offer comfort, but finds himself falling short.Bishnu leans on a close friendship with a woman who guides him through his difficulties. They also hope for a life together, but are unable to because of the complexities of their situation. Lakhi remains unaware of this relationship. Aakuti traces the emotional journey of a child and the quiet, tender bond between a father and daughter as they try to sail through life. A journey marked by challenges
Snigdha P. Roy is a filmmaker, writer, and editor with over 15 years of experience in the Indian film industry. She began her career in animation and editing, and has worked across various departments on a wide range of projects. Her directorial work includes several acclaimed short films — Hands of A, Let Love Be, Wounds, and The Gift — which have screened at festivals internationally. As an editor, she has contributed to films and series such as Skater Girl (Netflix), Saina (T-Series), Class (Netflix), and First Act (Amazon). Aakuti marks her debut feature as a writer-director.
The New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) is the oldest, most prestigious film festival screening premieres of feature, documentary and
short films made from, of, and about the Indian subcontinent in the Independent, arthouse, alternate and diaspora genres.
