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Laila aur satt geet

The Shepherdess and the Seven Songs
Encounters 2020
© Pushpendra Singh
Inspired by the poetry of 14th century Kashmiri mystic Lalleshwari, also known as Lalla or Lal Ded, and set against the backdrop of the conflict in Kashmir, comes this timeless story of the nomadic shepherdess Laila. Although she becomes Tanvir’s wife, she attracts the attentions of the entire tribe, and especially of gendarme Mushtaq, who is determined to conquer her. Amidst the magnificent Himalayan landscape, where the police and military strictly monitor every movement and all borders, the pair exchanges amorous repartee that spins out of control. Stalking and seduction, mockery and temptation – director Singh takes inspiration from the folkloric model, right down to the narrative structure. Making use of the rustic language of classic Indian cinema, and with a score full of traditional motifs and songs, he unfurls his female protagonist’s path. The film is a tribute to a very modern female figure who takes her fate and her desires into her own hands.
by Pushpendra Singh
with Navjot Randhawa, Sadakkit Bijran, Shahnawaz Bhat, Ranjit Khajuria, Mohammed Yasin India 2020 Gojri, Hindi 96’ Colour World premiere

With

  • Navjot Randhawa (Laila)
  • Sadakkit Bijran (Tanvir)
  • Shahnawaz Bhat (Mushtaq)
  • Ranjit Khajuria (Inspector)
  • Mohammed Yasin (Uncle)

Crew

Written and Directed by Pushpendra Singh
Cinematography Ranabir Das
Editing Samarth Dixit
Music Naren Chandavarkar, Benedict Taylor
Sound Design Ajit Singh Rathore
Sound Ajit Singh Rathore
Production Design Yogesh Kumar Langayan
Costumes Jasmine Kaur
Assistant Director Rahul Pawar
Casting Pushpendra Singh
Production Manager Rahul Pawar
Producers Gulab Singh Tanwar, Sanjay Gulati, Ajit Singh Rathore, Pushpendra Singh
Executive Producer Pushpendra Singh

Produced by

Saarthi Entertainment

Crawling Angel Pictures

ASR Films

Marudhar Arts

Photos

Berlinale Meets | Interview

Pushpendra Singh

© Yeasu Yuvraj

Born in Sainyaa, near Agra, India in 1978. After studying at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune, he first worked as an actor and assistant director. In 2014, his directorial debut Lajwanti screened in the Berlinale Forum. His second feature film, Ashwatthama, premiered in the New Currents Competition at the Busan International Film Festival while his hybrid film Maru ro moti was shown at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam.

Filmography

2014 Lajwanti (The Honour Keeper) 2017 Ashwatthama 2019 Maru ro moti (Pearl of the Desert) 2020 Laila aur satt geet (The Shepherdess and the Seven Songs)

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2020