Following its successful global festival run, ‘Second Chance’, the much-lauded debut feature by writer-director Subhadra Mahajan, is all set for its Indian theatrical release on June 13. 

The intimate Himalayan drama will be distributed by India’s leading independent film studio, Platoon One Films, and will hit theatres in key cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, and Kochi, with a wider rollout in subsequent weeks.

As per an official press note, ‘Second Chance’ premiered at the prestigious 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Proxima Competition and made its Asia debut at the 28th Busan International Film Festival. Since then, it has travelled across 25 global festivals, earning praise for its poignant storytelling, stunning monochrome visuals, and emotionally resonant narrative.

The film, written and directed by Subhadra Mahajan who co-wrote Pan Nalin’s acclaimed Angry Indian Goddesses  is produced by Shyam Bora, known for his work on Aamis. Executive produced by Pan Nalin and lensed by renowned cinematographer Swapnil S. Sonawane (‘Monica, O My Darling’, ‘Newton’), the film is co-produced by Naren Chandavarkar, Sidharth Meer, and Bhaskar Hazarika. ‘Second Chance’ is a production of Latent Pictures and Metanormal Motion Pictures, with support from Bridge PostWorks and Moonweave Films.

Set against the stark and serene backdrop of the Pir Panjal range in Himachal Pradesh, ‘Second Chance’ follows Nia (played by Dheera Johnson), a young woman grappling with the emotional aftermath of an illicit abortion. Seeking refuge in her family’s Himalayan retreat, she finds unexpected companionship in 70-year-old Bhemi (Thakri Devi) and a mischievous 7-year-old Sunny (Kanav Thakur). As winter deepens, a gentle and transformative bond develops between the three, crossing barriers of age, pain, and personal trauma.

Speaking about her debut’s Indian release, Subhadra Mahajan shared, “Second Chance, like most first features, comes from a deeply personal space. Yet at every stage, it has been embraced with so much heart. Platoon One Films came on board as Indian distributors with genuine belief in the story, which is incredibly reassuring. I can’t wait to share this story of hope and healing from my Himalayan homeland with Indian audiences.”

Founder of Platoon One Films, Shiladitya Bora, known for backing indie gems such as Yours Truly and Picasso, noted, “Very rarely does a film move you in such a complete way. Subhadra’s film is intimate yet vast — perfect for the big screen. We’re excited to give it a long-tail release, replicating the same strategy we used for ‘Ghode Ko Jalebi Khilane Le Ja Riya Hoon’, which ran successfully for 56 days.”

The film’s strength lies not only in its visual storytelling — captured in atmospheric black and white to reflect the interplay of darkness and light — but also in its universal message of second chances, healing, and human connection. Mahajan’s directorial voice is both fresh and meditative, urging viewers to pause and rediscover meaning in the mundane.

In her director’s statement, Mahajan reflects on how the story, though rooted in the specifics of a young woman’s trauma and the wintry Himalayan solitude, resonates in a world that often forgets the quiet power of compassion, nature, and shared grief. “It is a story about light at the end of a long, dark tunnel,” she writes. “About hope in times of fractured societies, and about unlikely friendships in times of loneliness and isolation.”

With ‘Second Chance’, Platoon One Films continues its commitment to backing distinctive voices in Indian cinema. The studio’s growing slate of unique, content-driven films includes upcoming titles like Bayaan, starring Huma Qureshi, currently in post-production and already attracting international buzz.

As Indian audiences await this tender, thought-provoking tale, ‘Second Chance’ promises not just a cinematic experience, but an emotional journey toward empathy, renewal, and rediscovery.