Neeru Sharma, the entertainment journalist turned Filmmaker received a major boost when her debut short film Bandra Boy has earned recognition internationally at the two film festivals held in New York. 

Bandra Boy is a 21-minute Hindi thriller which has reached the frames of semi finalist at the New York Film Festival. The short film has been recognised as an Award Winner at the New York International Women Festival. It marks a significant achievement for Neeru Sharma’s first film as a writer and a director. 

Bandra Boy is receiving international recognition for the theme that explores media narratives.

The fine line between the truth and opinion in the digital age with media narrative and public perception, the film examines how headlines and public scrutiny and social judgement can shape a person’s image long before the facts are known. A subject that one can resonate with the festival audience and the juries. 

For Neeru Sharma who has spent more than two decades covering Bollywood and entertainment industry as a journalist before she moved into filmmaking has garnered significant recognition as a filmmaker.  She said, she is extremely happy and grateful that her debut film Bandra Boy is receiving international recognition.  She expressed as a debut filmmaker she conceived the story that comes from years of observing the entertainment industry, the media culture and the way the public perception is formed or is quick to change. Such recognition motivates her to continue telling meaningful stories.  

Before she thought of making Bandra Boy, Neeru Sharma pursued formal training in filmmaking at Whistling Woods International founded by filmmaker Subhash Ghai. The transition for Neeru Sharma from being a journalist to becoming a filmmaker has attracted attention within the film industry circles, many of which are viewing the film as a reflecting of her years of experience reporting on the celebrity culture and media narratives. 

About Bandra Boy. 

The film Bandra Boy stars Ahvaan Kumar in the lead role alongside the acclaimed Gujarati and Marathi actor Dharmendra Gohil.  The star ensemble includes Lochan Barsagade, Yash Pednekar, Sham Thombare, Pawan Tiwari, Aishwarya Manohar, Himanshi Mandalia and Nandini Sharma. 

Bandra Boy is produced by Rajeev Parashar, editing is by Sandeep Kurup known for films such as Mubarakan, Sadak 2 and Crakk. The cinematography is being handled by Aayush Shah while the background score is composed by Kaushal Mahavir. 

Bandra Boy began its international journey already and its early success at the two New York Film Festivals has positioned the film as one of the notable and independent Indian short films currently creating its impact overseas.  For Neeru Sharma it has been a great achievement which is also encouraging her to start a new chapter, one that takes her away from reporting stories to instead creating them.