BAFTA-nominated dark comedy 'Sister Midnight', which sees Radhika Apte in the lead, is all set for its OTT release in India, following its digital release in the UK on Tuesday.
Helmed by debutante Karan Kandhari, the film was nominated for Outstanding British Debut at this year's BAFTA awards, and was also received warmly at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it won a Golden Camera nomination, as well as a spot in the Directors' Fortnight section.
The film received a limited theatrical release in India in May, and has been released on streaming platforms in the UK today, according to an announcement from distributor Altitude Films, known for distributing films and documentaries like 'Amy' (2015) alongside A24, 'David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet' (2020) alongside Netflix, and 'Guns Akimbo' (2019).
The film is currently available on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Google Play. Although 'Sister Midnight' is not yet available on Indian OTT platforms, it is expected to release soon, following the announcement.
The film sees Radhika Apte in what has been touted as her “boldest role yet”, alongside Ashok Pathak, Chhaya Kadam and Smita Tambe.
She plays Uma, a newly-married housewife, who is clueless on how to spend her hours alone in a cramped room in Mumbai when her husband was out. Deftly taking on gender roles, female identity, repression and personal freedom, the film slowly turns surreal, which adds layers to its wry humour and criticism.
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“It started from just the idea of what happens the very first morning in an arranged marriage when the wife wakes up ... and if the guy goes to work and she's just there and you have no manual to do this. It's really just about the fact that there is no manual for anything in life,” the director explained, in a press note about the bizarre film.
Kandhari also said that he had been influenced by legendary vaudeville comedian, actor and filmmaker Buster Keaton's mastery of subtle facial gestures and filmmaking style, inn which he conveyed a lot in a few meaningful frames.
Radhika Apte will next be seen in YRF-backed Netflix period drama series, titled 'Akka'. Reports also suggest that she will be helming an action-fantasy thriller 'Kotya': her directorial debut.
