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Bandar (Monkey)

Bandar is a romantic comedy that explores the lives of a young couple, Hiya and Neil, as their outlooks of each other change after entering a long-distance relationship. Set against the backdrop of modern metropolitan India, the film captures the couple’s struggle as they find themselves caught between their present and past only to realize that their innocence is what truly grounds them. At its core, Bandar offers a fresh take on South Asian romance films, giving us an intimate look into the memories of two conflicted individuals.

  • Geet Gangwani
    Director
    Pav Bhaji
  • Geet Gangwani
    Writer
    Pav Bhaji
  • PNG Films
    Producer
    Pav Bhaji
  • Ria Nalavade
    Key Cast
    "Hiya"
    UP65 (Web series- Jio Cinema)
  • Jay Khadilkar
    Key Cast
  • Leslie D'souza
    Cinematographer
    Ved (Feature Film)
  • Ranjabati Sarkar
    Editor
    Mismatched (Web series- Netflix)
  • Yash Soni
    Colorist
  • Jahnavi Bhatt
    Assistant Director
  • Kartikeye Ojha
    Music Composer
    Adhura (Web series- Prime Video)
  • Yash Shinde
    Mix and Master
    Spider-man: Homecoming
  • Yash Shinde
    Sound designer
    Spider-man: Homecoming
  • Utsavi Jha
    Orignal Music
    Gulmohar (Feature Film)
  • Project Type:
    Short, Television
  • Genres:
    Drama, Romance
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 15, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    English, Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Indie-Meme Film Festival
    Austin
    United States
    April 17, 2024
    International Premiere
    Official Selection
  • River to River Florence Indian Film Festival
    Florence
    Italy
    December 5, 2024
    European Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Geet Gangwani

Hi! I'm Geet, a copywriter-turned-filmmaker splitting my time between NYC and Mumbai, navigating the worlds of filmmaking and advertising. In 2021, I launched PNG Films, a production house focused on telling stories about everyday people in relatable, everyday situations. My debut short film, Pav Bhaji, is currently streaming on JioCinema after an exciting festival run.

My most recent project was a Netflix Comedy Special for Emmy Award-winning comedian Vir Das, filmed at the iconic Comedy Cellar in NYC. While I’m producing Bandar as a web series to expand the world of its characters, I’m also developing a horror drama called Tandava, slated to shoot in Texas in Fall 2025.

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Director Statement

At its core, Bandar offers a fresh take on South Asian romance films, giving us a peek into the memories of two conflicted individuals.

The way we’ve used color and cinematography in Bandar reflects the emotional essence of the story at that particular moment. The present is in black and white, symbolizing the emotional and physical distance between Hiya and Neil showcasing how we always think of our present as grimy in comparison to our past (in color) which would always be a dream for our present. This visual contrast captures the shifting dynamics of their relationship without removing the conflict from either.

The next step for our project is to expand Bandar into a web series, using the short as a pilot to establish Hiya and Neil’s world. By showcasing the film at festivals, we aim to build anticipation and momentum for the project, with Summer 2025 as our projected production date. Alongside my co-producer, Mr. Ghalib Datta, we believe there’s a need for a South Asian love story that feels both genuine and relatable, and Bandar has the potential to fill that space. This short is just the starting point, the first chapter of a larger story that deserves to be told, and we’re excited to be the ones bringing it to life.