‘Bun Tikki is my love letter to every child and parent’: Director Faraz Arif Ansari

(From left) Zeenat Aman, Abhay Deol and Shabana Azmi headline director Faraz Arif Ansari’s film exploring the parent-child bond

Director Faraz Arif Ansari's maiden feature film, Bun Tikki, is off to a promising start. The Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman and Abhay Deol-starrer will have its world premiere at the 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) in California on January 5. This gives a surge of confidence to not only the debutant feature director, but also to fashion designer-turned-producer Manish Malhotra who chose it as his second production after Saali Mohabbat.

For their maiden feature, Ansari wanted to explore the parent-child relationship. Bun Tikki tells the story of seven-year-old Shanu, who grapples with self-discovery, while his father Sidhant navigates grief and societal pressures as a single parent trying to understand his child. The director shares, "It's an absolute dream to have Bun Tikki make its global debut at the 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival. This iconic festival has always been a beacon for independent filmmakers and bold storytelling, and I'm beyond excited that our film is part of such a phenomenal line up. Bun Tikki is my love letter to the world --- to every child, every parent, and everyone who believes in the transformative power of love, empathy, and kindness. I hope it sparks conversations that break barriers, bridge differences, and remind us of the kinder, happier world we're all capable of creating. This journey wouldn't have been possible without the incredible support of Jio Studios and the visionary Manish Malhotra, who believed in me and my story from the start, giving it the sunshine and love. My heartfelt thanks to the entire team at Palm Springs International Film Festival for giving Bun Tikki a platform to reach global audiences. I'm so proud of what we've created, and I can't wait to share it with the world. Here's to always making cinema that transcends boundaries and inspires us to imagine a brighter, better, more inclusive tomorrow."

The movie's selection further cements Malhotra's desire to back unconventional stories. "It's a truly special moment to witness Bun Tikki make its global premiere at the 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival, especially following the applauded premiere of Saali Mohabbat at IFFI 2024 with Jio Studios. As a producer, it's an honour to contribute to a project that challenges conventions, tells an authentic story and connects with audiences on a universal scale. I am incredibly proud of Faraz for bringing this vision to life and eagerly look forward to how the world embraces this heartfelt film. My deepest gratitude goes to the festival for supporting this liberated cinema and to the world who will soon experience the magic of Bun Tikki," says the producer, who teamed up with Jio Studios to bring the story to the screen.

Jyoti Deshpande, President, Media and Entertainment, RIL, added, "Having Bun Tikki premiere at a prestigious platform as the Palm Springs International Film Festival is a proud moment for us at Jio Studios. We believe in the power of storytelling to foster empathy and understanding. We are committed to amplifying diverse voices and narratives that resonate with authenticity and passion. Supporting Bun Tikki is not just an endorsement of its artistic merit but a celebration of the courage it takes to share stories that challenge and inspire. Manish and Faraz have made this film wholeheartedly and I am sure it will conquer hearts globally."