Lords of Lockdown By Anurag Kashyap and Navin Shetty

When Covid-19 first appeared, it dealt a devastating blow to hundreds of millions of individuals in India and around the world, resulting in widespread lockdowns. A few people were battling for their lives, others were battling for their livelihoods, and most were just trying to make it through the day. Hunger is an issue in India that is rarely talked about but was brought to light in a terrible way by the lockdown situation.

Co-produced by Anurag Kashyap and Navin Shetty and directed by Mihir Fadnavis, Lords of Lockdown is a feature-length documentary that recounts how India breathed throughout the pandemic's six-month lockdown. In addition to heartbreaking anecdotes from the lockdown, the film includes real-time footage from the time of the lockdown itself.

On May 7, the film had its world premiere at the New York Indian Film Festival, a moment to be celebrated with great pride.

During the pandemic, four individuals from various backgrounds played key roles in the film's story: Ruben Mascarenhas from Khaana Chahiye, journalist Rana Ayyub from the Washington Post, Indian Railways Inspector General AK Singh, and urogynecologist Dr. Aparna Hegde. The huge exodus of migrant workers on foot is a tragedy of tragic proportions that each of them discusses in their own unique way.

"It was a visceral experience," says director Mihir. "Thanks to the support of both my producers, Anurag Kashyap and Navin Shetty, we were able to make something thought-provoking and certainly unique," he adds. “I'm hoping that those who see the film will be moved by the turmoil we experienced while filming it.”

Additionally, the film aims to raise awareness of the importance for Hindus and Muslims to coexist in a time of rising communal tensions. In the midst of it all, Mumbai is completely cut off from the rest of the world.