Mumbai Drama: Purity, Caste, and Cravings Collide

Writer-director Aarti Neharsh's debut feature, 'No Onions,' is set to explore complex social issues through the lens of psychological horror. The film is grounded in the charged social landscape of Ahmedabad, examining concepts of purity, caste, and domestic control within a devout household. Neharsh draws inspiration from her own upbringing, highlighting the subtle yet rigid practices of purity she observed in everyday life.

The narrative follows a pregnant protagonist whose increasingly intense food cravings begin to unravel the established order and rituals of her devout family. As her desires grow, the long-standing codes of discipline—dietary, religious, and familial—start to fracture, exposing hidden tensions beneath a seemingly harmonious home. This exploration reframes vegetarianism through the Indian context of caste purity.

With its selection for the Sundance Development Track, 'No Onions' is currently in late development. The filmmakers are actively seeking co-producers, financiers, and sales partners, aiming to commence pre-production by mid-2026. Neharsh's previous short film, 'The Song We Sang,' also set in Ahmedabad, garnered acclaim at several international festivals.