Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Kennedy’ Heads To New York Indian Film Festival

Neo-noir thriller starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone heads to NYIFF after Cannes success.

By Preeti Jha Preeti Jha linkedin_icon

Acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s neo-noir thriller ‘Kennedy’ is set to captivate American audiences with its upcoming screening at the 25th New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF). The film, which made waves at the 76th Cannes Film Festival last year, will be shown as a Centerpiece selection on June 21 at 6:15 PM at Village East by Angelika theater in New York City.

Film Explores Complex Themes Of Redemption

According to the official announcement, ‘Kennedy’ follows the gripping narrative of an insomniac ex-cop who is presumed dead. The protagonist navigates a corrupt system while searching for personal redemption, creating a dark and intense storyline characteristic of Kashyap’s distinctive filmmaking style.

The film stars Rahul Bhat in the lead role, with Sunny Leone in a significant part. Both actors have received praise for their performances in this psychologically complex thriller that exemplifies Kashyap’s penchant for exploring the darker aspects of human nature.

International Acclaim At Cannes

‘Kennedy’ received remarkable recognition at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where it was featured in the Midnight Screening section at the Grand Lumière Theatre. The film earned an impressive seven-minute standing ovation from the international audience, cementing its status as a critically acclaimed work. The movie is produced by Zee Studios and Kashyap’s frequent collaborators Kabir Ahuja and Cinema Kasam, further strengthening the director’s independent filmmaking credentials.

Kashyap’s Recent Festival Circuit Appearances

Kashyap has been actively promoting ‘Kennedy’ at various film festivals across the United States. Recently, he participated in the 10th Indie Meme Film Festival in Austin, Texas, where he presented the film and engaged in discussions about Indian cinema, censorship, and the film industry.

During the Austin festival, Kashyap participated in a Q&A session moderated by film critic Sucharita Tyagi, where they explored various topics including the evolution of Indian cinema. The director also conducted a post-festival filmmaking workshop, sharing his expertise with aspiring filmmakers.

Kashyap’s Legacy In Indian Cinema

Anurag Kashyap has significantly shaped modern Indian cinema with over 50 films to his credit as director, producer, screenwriter, and occasionally actor. His breakthrough came with the two-part crime saga ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ (2012), which achieved both critical and commercial success. Interestingly, Kashyap recently revealed that filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane played a crucial role in the development of ‘Gangs of Wasseypur,’ stating that ‘Wasseypur would not have been Wasseypur if it wasn’t for him.’

Kashyap’s other notable works include the Netflix series ‘Sacred Games,’ anthology films like ‘Lust Stories,’ and features such as ‘Choked.’ His boundary-pushing approach to filmmaking has earned him international recognition, including being honored with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by France.

Tickets for the NYIFF screening of ‘Kennedy’ are available through the link in the festival’s bio, giving New York audiences a chance to experience Kashyap’s latest cinematic offering that continues to build on his reputation for bold, uncompromising storytelling.

protip_icon Trivia
Anurag Kashyap has collaborated with many acclaimed actors, including Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte, who frequently star in his projects.
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Preeti Jha
Preeti JhaSenior creative producer
With nearly two decades of experience in the media and entertainment industry, Preeti Jha is a creative producer and director known for her expertise in content creation, production management, and storytelling. Currently serving as a senior creative producer at IncNut Digital, Preeti plays a pivotal role in developing high-impact digital content, overseeing creative strategy, and managing production workflows.

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