GUWAHATI, May 17: The Assamese feature film Aakuti (Longing), which explores the emotional journey of an eight-year-old girl dealing with the absence of her mother, has been selected for the 2026 edition of the New York Indian Film Festival, where it is scheduled for its world premiere on May 30.
The one-hour-and-thirty-four-minute film marks the debut feature of Snigdha P Roy, who has written, directed and edited the project. The film had earlier also secured a place in the ‘Film Bazaar Recommends’ segment at the 2025 Waves Film Bazaar.
Responding to the selection, Roy said being part of the festival and receiving recognition alongside notable films was a significant moment for the team. She described the achievement as an acknowledgement of the dedication and effort invested in the project.
Roy said Aakuti was created on a limited budget with a compact team motivated primarily by conviction rather than resources. The film has been co-produced by Tanuja P Roy under the banner of PKR Films.
According to the producer, the film’s journey from its conception to an international platform such as NYIFF represents an important milestone. She said the project focuses on restrained storytelling and authentic emotional connections.
The film features Kavisha Mahanta as Lakhi, a young girl struggling with the emotional absence of a mother she never truly knew. The cast also includes Nilim Chetia, Anisha Hazarika, Arun Hazarika and Ananya Hazarika.
The story follows Lakhi, who lost her mother during infancy and grows up carrying feelings of loneliness and emotional uncertainty. Through sketches and imagined memories, she attempts to create an image of the mother she never had. Her father, Bishnu, tries to support her but struggles to reach her emotionally.
As the story progresses, Bishnu develops a relationship with another woman who helps him through his own challenges. While the two look towards a possible future together, circumstances create complications, while Lakhi remains unaware of the evolving relationship.
The makers said Aakuti examines themes of grief, emotional longing and the delicate relationship between a father and daughter as they quietly attempt to rebuild their lives.
Cinematography for the film has been handled by Chida Bora, while sound design has been done by Debajit Gayan and the background score has been composed by Ashutosh Sohoni.
