In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian cinema, Marathi film Sabar Bonda has claimed the prestigious World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The Rohan Kanawade-directed drama was the only Indian film to premiere at this year’s festival and became the first Marathi film ever to receive a nomination.
Starring Bhushaan Manoj as Anand, the film follows his journey back to his village after his father’s passing, where he rekindles a long-lost love with his childhood friend Balya, played by Suraaj Suman. Produced by actor Jim Sarbh, Sabar Bonda is an international co-production between India, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The supporting cast features Jayshri Jagtap, Harish Baraskar, Ram Daund, Vidya Joshi, and Hemant Kadam.
While presenting the award, the Sundance jury hailed Sabar Bonda as “the great modern love story that the world needs right now.” The win marks the second consecutive year an Indian film has claimed the festival’s top honor, following Girls Will Be Girls by Shuchi Talati in 2024.
Indian cinema’s presence at Sundance extended beyond fiction, with Nocturnes, a documentary exploring the lifecycle of moths in the Himalayas, winning the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Craft. The film is directed by Anirban Dutta and Anupama Srinivasan.
With its historic win, Sabar Bonda not only amplifies Marathi cinema on the global stage but also reinforces India’s growing influence at international film festivals.
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