The humble state of Jharkhand is all set to have a brush with the outside world, transcending Indian boundaries. The state’s rural and natural beauty is being screened at the Shanghai International Film Festival that began on July 25.

Gautam Ghose directed film Raahgir—the wayfarers—starring Adil Hussain, Tilottama Shome and Neeraj Kabi has three screening dates, July 27, 28, 29 at the festival.

The film has been shot extensively in Netarhat and around Ranchi city limits for months in 2018.

Raahgir, a tale of human empathy during a time of crisis, is based on a short story by Prafulla Roy. Two strangers Nathuni and Lakhua (played by Tilottama and Adil respectively), who meet on a journey to the nearest town in search of their livelihood, form the crux of the plot.

Amit Agarwal who has produced the film under the banner Adarsh Telemedia with past films like M.S. Dhoni-The Untold Story and Simran, said Raahgir had received a positive response at its special screenings.

The movie has had a successful international and national festival run in 2019 having its World Premiere at The Busan International Film Festival and its national premiere at the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI). Other major festivals where it was screened include Kolkata International Film Festival, International Film

Festival of Kerala and Rajasthan International Film Festival. The film is now set for an international release.

“Both the director and myself are excited. This is the first theatre-style event amidst Covid at a time when even film festivals have gone online. There were quite a few offers of virtual film festivals but we didn’t opt for the same from the security point of view. As far as the commercial release of Raahgir is concerned, we are in talks with good OTT platforms as we don’t know when this situation would end,” said Agarwal.

The producers have agreed to organise a special screening for Jharkhand based film lovers, too.