Acclaimed Film ‘BHAGWAN BHAROSE,’ Starring Masumeh Makhija, Vinay Pathak, and Satendra Soni, wins Best Film at the 25th UK Asian Film Festival

National, May 17, 2023 - The highly anticipated film 'Bhagwan Bharose' has claimed the prestigious Best Film Award at the renowned 25th UK Asian Film Festival in London. Starring the talented Masumeh Makhija, the film's World Premiere at the festival captivated the audiences with its terrific storytelling and exceptional performances.

The theme for the historic 25th edition of the festival was ‘Celebrating Our Stories’. "Bhagwan Bharose" charts the emotional journey of two impressionable kids struggling with their understanding of faith  in 1980s India. Introducing two talented young finds Satendra Soni and Sparsh Suman, the film features a stellar ensemble cast led by acclaimed actors Masumeh Makhija, Vinay Pathak, Manurishi Chaddha, Shrikant Verma (Panchayat, Dum Laga Ke Haisha), Sawan Tank (Sui Dhaga), and Krishna Singh Bisht (Sulemani Keeda, Newton).

Masumeh Makhija shared her heartfelt thoughts on ‘Bhagwan Bharose’, stating, "Bhagwan Bharose is a film that is made with passion and carries a strong message that resonates with the world we live in today. It beautifully portrays how deeply the choices we make in our lives influence the world we live in. I’m forever grateful to Shiladiya for his unfading enthusiasm and for pushing me to take up this lovely role. It is solely his vision that made this film possible for me”.

Expressing her joy at the film winning the Best Film award, Masumeh added, "I am incredibly happy and grateful that 'Bhagwan Bharose' has received this global recognition. It truly validates the hard work and dedication everyone has poured into bringing this heartfelt story to life. I am eagerly looking forward to its release, and I can't wait for audiences to experience the emotions that this film offers."

Director Shiladitya Bora shared his happiness about the award win, stating, “Thank you to the UK Asian Film Festival for such a wonderful response to our film. It’s my first film and first award so this one’s definitely very special! I’m so grateful to my writers, my producers, and my entire cast and crew for this ride of a lifetime! And I hope that we’re only getting started."

The film features original music by cult Indian rock band Indian Ocean (Black Friday, Gulaal, Masaan) with lyrics by Sanjeev Sharma (Peepli Live).

The Closing Gala Event and UK Asian Film Festival Awards took place on Sunday 14th May, at BFI Southbank. Considered the world’s longest running South Asian film festival, the UKAFF London is known for showcasing groundbreaking films that push boundaries and challenge audiences. The festival is organized by the not-for-profit organization Tongues on Fire and is supported by the BFI and Arts Council England.