Marathi film Tighee wins Best Screenplay at New York Indian Film Festival

Marathi film Tighee won the Best Screenplay award at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), with writers Nikhil Mahajan and Prajakta Deshmukh receiving the honour. The film was also screened at the festival, followed by a Q&A session with members of the team.Starring Bharati Achrekar, Nehha Pendse and Sonalee Kulkarni, Tighee explores themes of womanhood, relationships, resilience and self-discovery. At its centre is a mother-daughter relationship, with the story examining the emotional complexities that shape their lives.Actor-producer Nehha Pendse and director Jeejivisha Kale represented the film at the festival and interacted with audiences following the screening. The discussion touched on the film's themes, creative process and its reception among viewers.Reflecting on the experience, Kale said it was encouraging to see audiences from different parts of the world connect with the film and its characters. “Watching people relate to these journeys reaffirmed our belief that honest stories can transcend borders. The response has been very heartening,” she said.Pendse said the full-house screening and audience engagement made the festival experience particularly memorable. “The conversations after the screening were deeply enriching, and it was wonderful to see viewers engage so passionately with the film. It is a proud moment to represent Marathi cinema on a global platform,” she said.Producer Shradul Singh Bayas said the response at the festival reflected the film's ability to connect with audiences beyond India. The screening at NYIFF marks another international outing for Tighee, which has been travelling to film festivals and drawing attention for its storytelling and performances.