Actor Soni Razdan’s directorial project ‘Difficult Daughters’, produced by her daughters Alia and Shaheen Bhatt, has earned a coveted spot at the Asian Project Market (APM) 2024, part of the prestigious Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in South Korea. The indie drama is one of four Indian entries to make it to this year’s selection, placing it on the global radar as a film to watch in the coming year.

Produced under the creative vision of Alan McAlex and Grishma Shah alongside the Bhatt sisters, ‘Difficult Daughters’ is expected to be an intimate, layered narrative. The project’s inclusion in APM signals its international appeal and storytelling depth, aligning with the festival’s reputation for spotlighting bold, original cinema from Asia, PTI reported.

APM, widely regarded as Asia’s most influential film project market, serves as a networking platform for emerging filmmakers to connect with global investors, distributors, and production houses. Films selected here often go on to receive international acclaim and co-production deals.

Joining Difficult Daughters in the lineup is ‘Last of Them Plagues’, helmed by filmmaker Kunjila Mascillamani. The project is being backed by an eclectic powerhouse team—Cannes 2024 Grand Prix winner Payal Kapadia, acclaimed actress Kani Kusruti, and Jeo Baby, director of the critically acclaimed ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’. With such names attached, the film has already sparked interest across film circles.

Two more Indian titles round out the country’s participation at APM this year: ‘Lanka (The Fire)’ by Saurav Rai and ‘Moon’ by Pradip Kurbah. Rai, known for his meditative storytelling rooted in the Himalayan region, and Kurbah, a two-time National Award-winning director from Meghalaya, bring distinct voices and regional narratives to the international platform.

The growing Indian presence at APM underscores the rising global interest in Indian indie cinema, which is increasingly exploring complex themes with artistic depth. With a blend of industry veterans and emerging voices, the 2024 edition of APM promises to be a vibrant showcase of bold cinema from the subcontinent.

Alia Bhatt’s involvement in ‘Difficult Daughters’ marks yet another step in her growing role as a producer, following her success with ‘Darlings’. Her collaboration with sister Shaheen, known for her advocacy on mental health and intimate storytelling, is being closely watched by industry insiders and audiences alike.

As these projects gear up to pitch at Busan, they carry not just cinematic ambition but also the hopes of representing India on a wider storytelling canvas.