FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2025
“Tanvi the Great” to Make North American Debut on June 19
New York, NY — In a breaking update to its 25th anniversary lineup, the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) is proud to announce the addition of Tanvi the Great as a Gala Premiere. Fresh off its global debut at the Cannes Marché du Film, the powerful new feature directed and produced by screen legend Anupam Kher will make its North American premiere on June 19 in New York City.
Starring Shubhangi in a breakout role alongside Anupam Kher, Iain Glen, Jackie Shroff, Boman Irani, Arvind Swami, Pallavi Joshi, Karan Tacker and Nasser. Tanvi the Great tells the inspiring story of a young autistic woman who, against all odds, sets out to complete the mission her late father never
could—reaching the world’s highest battlefield. A deeply personal and moving portrait of resilience, the film was inspired by Kher’s own niece and features a sweeping score by Academy Award winner M.M. Keeravani and sound design by Academy Award winner Resul Pookutty.
“Tanvi the Great is a powerful and inspiring film that reaffirms the transformative power of storytelling,” said Rakesh Kaul, Vice Chairman of the Indo-American Arts Council. “We are especially proud to spotlight the legendary Anupam Kher — now Director and Producer — whose performance once again reminds us why he is among the greatest actors of our time, commanding not only the screen but also our hearts. His presence at NYIFF is a gift to our audiences and a celebration of artistic excellence. Through premieres like this, NYIFF continues to champion bold and resonant Indian cinema on a global stage.”
Directed with heart and cinematic vision, Tanvi the Great marks Kher’s return behind the camera and continues his legacy of telling stories that bridge continents, cultures, and generations.
“It is a matter of great honour for me and my team that Tanvi The Great will have its gala premiere at the prestigious New York Indian Film Festival. The festival has long championed not just cinematic brilliance, but stories that hold a mirror to society. After the overwhelming response in Cannes and London, we now look forward to sharing our story with the passionate and thoughtful audiences of this incredible city.” — Anupam Kher.
The premiere will be followed by an in-depth conversation with Anupam Kher and actor Shubhangi, offering audiences a rare glimpse behind the scenes of this powerful new film.
The New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), the longest-running and most prestigious U.S. festival dedicated to Indian independent cinema, returns for its milestone 25th edition from June 20–22, spotlighting bold new voices, storied auteurs, and urgent narratives from the Indian subcontinent and its global diaspora.
Screenings will take place at Manhattan’s Village East by Angelika, with tickets and full programming details now live at nyiff.us. All the films have English subtitles.
The 2025 lineup features over 45 films—including narratives, documentaries, and shorts—and celebrates languages and regions rarely seen on mainstream screens—spanning more than a dozen languages and regions. From Tamil and Odia to Assamese, Hindi, and Malayalam, the selection reflects both the diversity and the evolving language of Indian cinema.
Tickets, schedule, and full program details are available at nyiff.us.
About the New York Indian Film Festival
The New York Indian Film Festival is presented annually by the Indo-American Arts Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Indian arts and culture in the United States. Since its inception in 2001, NYIFF has showcased the best in Indian cinema, celebrating the diversity and creativity of filmmakers from India and around the world.
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Facebook and Instagram: @nyindianfilmfestival
Twitter: @nyindianff
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#NYIFF2025 #NewYorkIndianFilmFestival #NYIFF
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.
