David & Goliath Films founder and chairman, Lal Bhatia, and director Imran Zaki have
been conferred with the coveted ‘Best Producer of a Feature Film’ title for A Separate Sky at the Istanbul Film Awards 2021.
The award was announced during an online broadcast earlier.
Bhatia and Zaki, known for backing potentially challenging concepts and scripts, immediately agreed to produce A Separate Sky, which is a socio-political thriller inspired by Aamir Aziz’s verses of ‘Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega’. It perhaps is the first feature film to touch upon the subject of Citizenship Amendment Act.
It is the story of the relationships and bonds Hindus and Muslims have with one another in India in the backdrop of social and academic unrest. It stars Richa Sharma, Bonny Sengupta, Sudiptaa Chakraborty, Kamaleswar Mukherjee, Priyanka Rati Pal and Ranieeta Dash and is set to feature at subsequent festivals across the world. It is directed by Raajhorshee De.
The Istanbul Film Festival is the first and oldest international film festival in Turkey, organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts. The festival aims to encourage the development of international cinema in Turkey and to promote quality films before the
Turkish audiences.
“My only mission was for my audience to enjoy the journey and understand the narrative of A Separate Sky, so this award comes as an absolutely unexpected but very welcome honour. I am lost for words to learn of the comments from those who have watched the film and to know that it has struck the right chord among the audience,” Lal Bhatia, producer, A Separate Sky.
“I want to thank Istanbul Film Festival for recognizing A Separate Sky and honouring me as the ‘Best Producer’, however, this award is the sum of the most amazing cast and most talented crew and an army of kindred souls and patrons who made this vision a reality that too in the midst of the dreaded pandemic. And any mention of A Separate Sky cannot be complete without my partner in passion, Imran Zaki of David & Goliath films, who was the artisan that helped weave this idea to reality,” Bhatia added.
About David & Goliath Films
“A film is one’s novel vision brought to life.”
This has been the pivotal inspiration that led to the establishment of David & Goliath Films, a professional studio and production house based in India. David & Goliath Films commits to contribute to the creative arts sector through their innovative, dynamic and ever-evolving approach to film production.
The aim behind starting this production company was to produce engaging and impactful documentaries, short films, and web series that will not only touch the hearts of many, but also highlight some of the most realistic and relevant issues existing in our society. They believe in providing a strong platform to budding filmmakers and ensure they get the right opportunities to showcase their talents to the world of cinema.