Mehrunisa
An Austrian production shot in the historic city of Lucknow, India, MEHRUNISA is the
story of three generations of Indian women fighting the predominantly patriarchal society.
Synopsis
Mehrunisa, an 80 year old woman in the historical Indian city of Lucknow, ventures to finally remove her late husband’s dominance from her life in her own eccentric way.
Eventually she ends stirring up the deep rooted patriarchy of the Indian film industry, thus becoming a role model for women across the country.
About Sandeep Kumar
Indian born Austrian filmmaker Sandeep KUMAR released his first feature film KESARIYA BALAM (LIEBE OHNE GRENZEN) in 2010, which received many accolades, including ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Film.’ SERVUS ISHQ (2014), his second feature,
had a nationwide release in Austria and was produced by Oscar-winner Josef Aichholzer.
OHNE BEKENNTNIS, ANOTHER DAY IN MANHATTAN & MEHRUNISA followed in the years after that. Kumar discovered his passion for film through studying theater in India, where he
shared the stage with Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan in school productions. Kumar attended film directing workshops of Michael Haneke at the Film Academy in Vienna, is a member of the Association of Austrian Directors and the Austrian Film Academy. He lives in Vienna.
About Farrukh Jaffar
Farrukh Jaffar (88) is the Grande Dame of Indian cinema known for her cult role in PEEPLI LIVE (60th. Berlinale, India’s official entry to Oscars). She started her career in epic Indian film
UMRAO JAAN almost 40 years ago.
Since then, she has performed impressive supporting roles in many films like in WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY (Norway’s official entry to Oscars), PHOTOGRAPH (Sundance, Berlinale 2019) and most recently as superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s wife in GULABO
SITABO. MEHRUNISA is Jaffar’s first time playing the lead role in a film.
