A short film titled Chunni, made by an entirely female crew, has been selected for the prestigious New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF). The movie will have its world premiere on May 30, 2026.
What is the Story About?
Set in modern-day Delhi, Chunni is a 15-minute emotional drama about a young woman named Avni (played by Preeti Panigrahi).
- The Conflict: Avni wants to go to a school party, but her conservative family forces her to wear a chunni (a traditional scarf) to cover up.
- The Journey: Over the course of one night, she wanders the city alone. What starts as an act of rebellion turns into a deep look at how women feel about safety, freedom, and the pressure to fit in.
Behind the Scenes
- A Personal Project: Director Kaashvi Agarwal created the film based on a conversation with her mother. She shared that making the film helped her heal after her mother passed away. Even her 79-year-old grandmother helped during the shoot.
- Girl Power: The film was produced by Jiya Bhardwaj and featured a crew of 15 women. The team recalled how empowering it felt to scout locations on the streets of Delhi at 3:00 AM together.
- The Lead Actress: Preeti Panigrahi described the experience of working on an all-female set as “therapeutic” and joyful.
Why the Title Matters
The title Chunni is used as a symbol. The film asks a big question: Should women keep following old rules just to stay safe, or should the world change to give them the dignity and respect they deserve?
The film’s premiere at NYIFF—North America’s oldest Indian film festival—is a major milestone for this independent, women-led project.