Sundance Winner Neeraj Churi, Daniel Talbott Team on Mumbai Queer Feature ‘Starvation’ (EXCLUSIVE)

The partnership between Sundance-winning producer Neeraj Churi and U.S. filmmaker Daniel Talbott to produce “Starvation,” a Mumbai-set feature film, marks a significant milestone in the evolution of queer cinema in India. The project’s focus on desire, class, and emotional survival may seem provocative, but it is merely the latest iteration of a long-simmering movement that has been quietly gaining momentum.

The film’s writers and directors, Saurav Mahind and Tejas Shende, are both alumni of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), an institution that has historically played a crucial role in shaping Indian cinema. However, their work outside of mainstream Bollywood reveals the true extent of their ambitions. Mahind’s student short “Upon Starvation” won recognition at the Sunny Bunny International Queer Film Festival, showcasing his ability to tackle complex emotional realities with nuance and sensitivity.

Shende has made a name for himself within the queer cinema circuit through his selection as one of six South Asian fellows for the QueerFrames Screenwriting Lab (2024–25), which is a testament to his talent and dedication to telling stories that are both deeply rooted in lived experience and cinematically ambitious. This fellowship provides a platform for emerging queer filmmakers, and Shende’s participation demonstrates the program’s commitment to fostering a sense of community and solidarity among queer storytellers.

The partnership between Churi and Talbott represents a significant turning point in the development of queer cinema in India. While mainstream Bollywood has long been criticized for its homophobia and transphobia, a new generation of filmmakers is emerging who are willing to push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable on screen. “Starvation” is not just a film about desire and vulnerability; it is also a reflection of the changing social landscape in India.

The Indian government’s Creative Minds of Tomorrow program at the International Film Festival of India has provided a platform for young filmmakers like Mahind to showcase their work, but initiatives like QueerFrames have truly helped to foster a sense of community among queer filmmakers. The fact that both Churi and Talbott are drawn to this project speaks volumes about its potential to resonate with audiences around the world.

As “Starvation” enters development, it will be interesting to see how the film’s themes and tone evolve. Will it maintain its unflinching gaze on desire and vulnerability, or will commercial pressures compromise its vision? The fact that casting and financing will be announced at a later date suggests that there are still many challenges ahead for the project.

The emergence of “Starvation” is merely one chapter in a long and complex history of queer cinema in India. As we watch this film take shape, we are reminded that storytelling has the power to challenge even the most entrenched social norms – and it is only through stories like “Starvation” that we can truly begin to understand the complexities of human desire.

The partnership between Churi and Talbott also raises questions about the role of international collaborations in the development of queer cinema. Will this project be seen as a tokenistic gesture towards diversity, or will it genuinely help to amplify the voices of Indian queer filmmakers? The answer lies not in the collaboration itself, but in how “Starvation” is marketed and distributed.

Ultimately, whether or not “Starvation” ultimately succeeds, its impact will be felt for years to come, as a generation of filmmakers continues to push the boundaries of what is possible on screen.