As the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) marks its milestone 25th anniversary this summer, the festival is honored to announce an extraordinary musical collaboration with Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, who have composed an original score for the festival’s promotional trailer. Sons of the legendary Sarod Grandmaster Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan and Ayaan bring to NYIFF a profound musical lineage and contemporary flair, creating a resonant soundscape that captures the emotional heart and cultural depth of Indian cinema.
The exclusive track, now featured across NYIFF’s digital and social media channels, combines the timeless resonance of the Sarod with cinematic percussion, evoking both nostalgia and anticipation for this year’s powerful lineup of films. In their statement, the artists shared, “We wanted the score to feel intimate yet expansive—like a reflection of Indian independent cinema itself. Just as NYIFF has championed bold voices for 25 years, we hoped our music could mirror the festival’s ability to honor tradition while pushing boundaries. The sound is rooted in the classical idiom, but layered with rhythm and energy to speak to this moment.”
With this composition, the Bangash brothers extend their commitment to global musical storytelling and reinforce the festival’s mission of bridging cultures through art. Their contribution serves as a sonic overture to a program featuring 45+ features, shorts, and docs and a celebration of languages and regions rarely seen on mainstream screens.
Dr. Nirmal Mattoo, Chairman of the Indo-American Arts Council, remarked, “I have had the great privilege of knowing the Khan family for over four decades. Amjad Ali Khan is not just a musical maestro, he is a cultural beacon—and his sons Amaan and Ayaan are carrying that legacy forward with brilliance and grace. Their contribution to NYIFF this year is deeply personal for me. It is a beautiful testament to their artistry and to the enduring friendship we share. I am immensely proud to see their music uplift this landmark moment in our festival’s journey.”
“Having Amaan and Ayaan create the signature score for our 25th year is an immense honor,” added Suman Gollamudi, Executive Director of the Indo-American Arts Council, which presents NYIFF. “Their music elevates our trailer—and our message. It sets the tone for a festival that celebrates legacy, experimentation, and artistic courage.”
New Masterclasses Announced
In addition to its cinematic offerings, NYIFF 2025 will host two compelling masterclass conversations with trailblazing voices in the industry:
- Oscar-Nominated Shorts to Indian Matchmaking on Netflix: Smriti Mundhra on Her Journey as a Director and Producer
Join acclaimed filmmaker and showrunner Smriti Mundhra as she reflects on navigating storytelling across formats—from deeply personal documentaries to breakout global hits like Indian Matchmaking. - The Current State of Indian Cinema: Anurag Kashyap on the Challenges to Bollywood, Streaming Platforms, and Indie Films
Renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap returns to NYIFF as a director and producer. In this candid conversation, Kashyap shares his insights on the shifting sands of Indian cinema and the intersection of art and commerce.
These sessions will offer festival audiences exclusive access to the minds shaping Indian storytelling today.
The 2025 New York Indian Film Festival runs June 20–22 at the Village East by Angelika, featuring premieres from acclaimed directors including Anurag Kashyap, Goutam Ghose, and Rima Das, with all films subtitled in English. Tickets, schedules, and full programming are available at nyiff.us.
