Mumbai, May 21: Kashmiri-language film Batt Koch, an independent drama exploring the experiences of the Kashmiri Pandit diaspora, is set to be screened at the prestigious New York Indian Film Festival later this month.
The film, titled The Lost Lane in English, has been directed by first-time filmmakers Ankit Walli and Siddarth Koul and produced by Vinayak Razdan.
According to an official statement, the movie will be screened at the annual festival gala on May 30.
The film has also earned nominations in two major categories at the festival — Best Debut Feature Film and Best Actor for veteran actor and theatre personality M K Raina.
Batt Koch focuses on themes of displacement, memory and identity, reflecting on the lives and struggles of the Kashmiri Pandit community. The selection of the film at an internationally recognised festival is being viewed as a significant moment for Kashmiri-language cinema and independent filmmaking from the region.
The New York Indian Film Festival is among the leading platforms showcasing Indian independent cinema, documentaries and regional films to global audiences.
The recognition of Batt Koch highlights the growing visibility of stories emerging from Kashmir in international film circuits, particularly narratives rooted in culture, migration and social realities.
