Actor Ankit Siwach is all set to make a mark on the global stage as his film Madam Driver will be showcased at the prestigious New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF). The project will be screened alongside cinematic works featuring celebrated names such as Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Manoj Bajpayee and Neena Gupta — a significant moment for Siwach and his team.

According to an IANS report, Ankit, who is currently seen in the digital series Kull, shared his joy and pride at the recognition. “I was overwhelmed, very happy. The director, Indrajeet sir, the entire team, and I are all very happy that Madam Driver is being screened at the New York Indian Film Festival,” the actor said.

Madam Driver is not a conventional film. The slice-of-life drama has been described as experimental, both in terms of its execution and format. “It’s an experimental film, shot completely on an iPhone, and it uses a very different style of storytelling,” Ankit explained. The film’s unique treatment and structure helped it earn a place on a coveted list of Indian films being recognised internationally.

Siwach believes that the compact format of the feature — with a runtime of 1 hour and 5 minutes — is what makes it suitable for current audiences. “The film has been shot differently, it’s been made differently. In times when audiences have a shorter attention span, this particular length of a film should work in the near future for theatrical releases,” he said.

In addition to celebrating his film’s selection at NYIFF, the actor also reflected on his role in Kull, where he plays a cop. The character, he says, is a role he had long manifested after feeling that his debut portrayal of a police officer in Chakravyuh (2017) could have offered more. “I always have manifested that I want to play a cop once more and I want to do all those things that I wished I had done in Chakravyuh. I was manifesting the role of a cop for a very long time and I was subconsciously studying people,” he said, adding that his own family background includes police officers, which gave him unique insight into the body language and behavioural patterns of real-life law enforcement officials.

Madam Driver’s selection at NYIFF and Ankit’s upcoming series both highlight his evolving journey as an actor. Kull, the JioHotstar-Balaji Digital original, dives into the world of a dysfunctional and debauched royal family. The dark family drama features a strong ensemble cast including Amol Parashar, Riddhi Dogra, Gaurav Arora, Rohit Tiwari, and Rahul Vohra. The series, created by Ekta R Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, is directed by Sahir Raza and is set to premiere on May 2.