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Indie Film 'Starvation' Explores Desire and Survival
17 May
Summary
- Film 'Starvation' to be set in Mumbai, India.
- It features a pickpocket whose life changes when a mark seeks closeness.
- The project has secured backing from Sundance-winning producer Neeraj Churi.
A new feature film, 'Starvation,' is currently in development, set to be produced in Mumbai. This project is a collaboration between Lotus Visual Prods., led by Sundance-winning producer Neeraj Churi, and Orphan Andy Films, headed by Daniel Talbott. The film is written and directed by Film and Television Institute of India graduates Saurav Mahind and Tejas Shende.
'Starvation' centers on a pickpocket who exploits closeted men but finds his detached perspective challenged when one of his marks returns seeking genuine connection. The producers describe the film as psychologically grounded, delving into themes of desire, class, and emotional survival. It has been selected for the Writers' Ink Screenwriting Lab 2026.
Both Mahind and Shende are FTII graduates with previous recognition for their work exploring loneliness and emotional realities. Mahind's student short 'Upon Starvation' won best short film at the Sunny Bunny International Queer Film Festival. Shende was a fellow for the QueerFrames Screenwriting Lab and has participated in Berlinale's European Film Market. Casting and financing details for 'Starvation' will be announced later.
