Hindi-Kannada Film ‘September 21’ To Premier At Marché du Film

A 22-year-old Indian filmmaker is set to take a film on dementia care to one of the world’s biggest cinema markets, with the premiere of his film ‘September 21’ at the Marché du Film during the 79th Cannes Film Festival next month.

Directed by Karen Kshiti Suvarna, the Hindi-Kannada feature will be screened on May 16, 2026, at Cannes, placing the debutant among the youngest Indian directors to present work at the international film marketplace.

Rather than focusing solely on illness, the film shifts attention to the emotional burden carried by families.

The story follows an older man living with Alzheimer’s who is convinced his wife is isolated in the next room during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, his estranged son returns home and is forced to confront unresolved tensions and responsibilities.

Industry observers see the selection as part of a broader trend of Indian independent films gaining visibility on global platforms through socially driven narratives.

The Marché du Film, which runs alongside the Cannes Film Festival, functions as a key hub for international distribution and co-production deals, attracting thousands of industry professionals each year.

The project has also drawn attention for its thematic focus on caregiving, an aspect often overlooked in films dealing with degenerative diseases.

According to the makers, the narrative aims to highlight the psychological strain experienced by those supporting patients, rather than portraying Alzheimer’s in isolation.

Starring Priyanka Upendra, Pravin Singh Sisodia and Zarina Wahab, the film is backed by multiple independent production houses and has received support from organisations working in dementia awareness in India.

Suvarna has described the film’s approach as restrained, relying on silence and minimal dialogue to convey emotional tension.

The director has said the intention was to reflect the unspoken realities within families dealing with memory loss, particularly the sense of distance that develops even in close relationships.

The Cannes screening marks the film’s first major international outing after earlier festival exposure in India, signalling growing global interest in stories centred on ageing and mental health.

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