Harij Weds Sajili, a subversive short film confronting the brutal reality of dowry violence through the lens of biting satire, will begin its festival screenings in DC, followed by San Francisco, Los Angeles, and the UK.
The team proudly welcomes Oscar-winning producer Nani Sahra Walker (The Last Repair Shop) and OBE-honored British actor Nitin Ganatra (EastEnders, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Executive Producers.
Directed by award winning Indian filmmaker Prataya Saha and produced by US based Angela Page, the film disrupts expectations to unravel the horrors hidden beneath certain social customs. Inspired by true stories and set in suburban India, the film tells the story of a young bride trapped in a violent arranged marriage, who fakes her suicide, with the help of a sex worker, to reclaim her freedom and rewrite her fate.
Nani Sahra Walker, celebrated for executive producing the Academy Award-winning documentary The Last Repair Shop, said, “Harji Weds Saliji uses humor and wit to challenge the patriarchal dowry system in South Asian society. It’s a reminder that solidarity can come from the most unlikely places.”
Nitin Ganatra, OBE-recognized British actor added, “Harij Weds Sajili is a sneakily deceptive film that draws you into a drama of age-old issues of love, sex, marriage, and dowry. The more you get involved with the drama, the more you want to laugh. The film is beautifully made and performed with a lightness of touch and cinematic ambition. Great watch.”
The London News: “Harij Weds Sajili: A Film That Dares to Confront Dowry Murder”
Reeln UK: “Harij Weds Sajili assembles global powerhouse team for a satire on dowry and the patriarchy.”
Authority Magazine: “A bold and timely social commentary, this gripping dark comedy is now set to embark on the international film festival circuit.”
Starring Anshulika Kapoor, Hridaan Saraswat and Rutpanna Aishwarya, the film aims to spark dialogue across diaspora communities through digital campaigns, university screenings and impact partnerships with women’s rights organizations in the UK, India, and the US.
The film is currently on its international festival run, with submissions across film festivals in the US, UK, and South Asia. It aims to spark not just conversation but reflection, on how social satire can become a weapon of truth.
Watch the trailer HERE.
