The makers of the Indian thriller ‘Stolen’ have announced that it will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in 2023.

The 90-minute Hindi film will be screened as part of the festival’s Orizzonti Extra section, which features “a selection of up to ten works aimed at innovating and demonstrating creative originality in the relationship with the public they are meant for”.

‘Stolen’ is directed by Karan Tejpal and produced by Gaurav Dhingra of Jungle Book Studio. It is set against the backdrop of a remote rural railway station in India. Abhishek Banerjee, Shubham, and Mia Maelzer star, according to a PTRI report.

It tells the gripping story of a five-month-old baby abducted from her mother, a downtrodden woman named Jhumpa Mahato.

“This heart-wrenching incident draws the attention of two urban brothers, Gautam and Raman, leading them into a labyrinth of challenges that test their relationships and convictions,” a press release stated.

Banerjee, known for ‘Stree’, ‘Paatal Lok’ and ‘Bhediya’, said ‘Stolen’ has been one of the most challenging roles in his career.

“The character I portray is vastly different from who I am in real life. It compelled me to delve into the depths of human emotions and experiences, demanding a level of authenticity and vulnerability that pushed me beyond my comfort zone. The film’s representation of India at the prestigious Venice Film Festival is undoubtedly a monumental achievement, I am honoured,” the actor said in a statement.

Tejpal and Dhingra said the selection of the film for the prestigious gala is a moment of immense pride for them.