Strange Destiny

Based on the autobiography of Sophie Leeves, who became a pioneer in Women's education in India. The film traces her journey of faith and courage against norms of her times; both personal and institutional. Mother Veronica, as she came to be called, is up for sainthood in Rome. This is an honest peek into her world and life in the 18th century, and the values she upheld and passed on for times to come as her global legacy.

  • Jigyasa Taneja Sethi
    Director
    Dusshera,Pari and Pinocchio
  • Jigyasa Taneja Sethi
    Writer
  • Saadhika Syal
    Key Cast
    "Mother Veronica (Sophie Leeves)"
  • Hemant Ingle
    Key Cast
    "Father Ephron"
  • Lucie Nicholls
    Key Cast
    "Voice of Mother Veronica"
  • Andrew Hoffland
    Key Cast
    "Narrator"
  • Hella Stichlmair
    Key Cast
    "Mother of Sophie"
  • Alexsei Danilov
    Key Cast
  • Jigyasa Taneja Sethi
    Producer
  • Maria Nirmalini
    Producer
  • Martina Golfman
    Makeup
  • Vishal Bawa
    Cinematography
  • Mehemat Burak Yilmaz
    Cinematography
  • Vindhya Malik
    Motion Graphics
  • Nitin Gaur Sharma
    Motion Graphics
  • Sanjeev Maurya
    Casting
  • Nandita Anand
    Casting
  • Annette Philip
    Music
    Berkeley Ensemble, Grammy Nominee
  • Anindo Bose
    Music
    Grammy Nominee
  • Tushar Minocha
    Editing
  • Sanjay Gharat
    Editing
  • Mayur Tambe
    Sound design
  • Annie Matthew
    Research
  • Hitesh
    Sound Mix
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Genres:
    Docu Drama, Inspirational Biopic
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 1 minute 22 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 31, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    85,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    France, India
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Mumbai, India
    India
Director Biography - Jigyasa Taneja Sethi

As a Creator, Writer and Director, committed to creating unique and versatile work in both fiction and non- fiction, focusing on strong content and performances. Jigyasa’s directorial treatment is rooted in research , authentic observation of milieus and inner rhythm of characters in long and short formats across genres.

FILM
Jigyasa Taneja Sethi made her debut as an independent writer/director with her fiction film, set in semi-urban North India , dealing with the complex issue of incest "DUSSHERA - THE FESTIVAL" that won her a BAFTA and Regional Oscar nomination . The film has been widely showcased in US and India. Jigyasa sold her first commercial feature length screenplay in 2012 and was also part of Times Warner NewVoices Screenwriters fellowship program for her period drama ”Sukkhi” followed by commercial a Romantic Comedy. Her recent fictional short film as writer/director on teenage romance, body image and sexuality ‘PARI and PINOCCHIO ‘ for Royal Stag Large Short films ,won her a directorial award at Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival and Dadasaheb Award Jury Mention for Best Short in 2019.

Currently she has directed a feature docudrama (period biopic) shot in India and Europe , geared for release in 2023.

WEB and TV
Jigyasa is amongst Top 30 Youtube comedy makers under OML’s Comedy Hunt for her humour series JULAAB GANG ‘Verbal Diarrhoea ‘ which also won a TIE Digital Disruptor Award. Over the last decade , Jigyasa has worked as Creative Director for Television Balaji, Rose , has been Creative Executive at Viacom Voot and has developed and directed series for Balaji ,Star, TVF and other platforms in Hindi , English and Punjabi and has worked as writer, director on several genres including drama , thrillers and adventures.

As Director and Producer, JAM Productions she has created digital ads, digital content and web series, fictional shorts and features in India and US. She has worked for brands like Dabur, Pepsi, Royal Stag India Mart, Hyundai and others like UNDP where Pan India stories were discovered and shot across seven states.
She now collaborates with various Production and Creative teams to bring unique content through various digital platforms.

OTHER
Jigyasa has been Assistant to prominent directors in ad films and feature film work across various genres and projects with , Shoojit Sircar-Red Ice , Manav Menon -Footcandles in 2004. Homi Adajania's "Being Cyrus" (2004), Farhan Akhtar's “Don” (2005) Excel Entertainment, Nina Menkes' "Phantom Love" (2007), Janice Tanaka's "Swimming in Air" (2003) Los Angeles.

With a Bachelors in Journalism from LSR, Delhi University ,Jigyasa went on to get a Masters in Fine Arts from California Institute Of The Arts, USA as Director for Theatre and Film as a special merit scholar along with her work with NSD in India and Repertory Theatre LA. She has also served as faculty in Department of Mass Communication and Journalism in DU and mentors and collaborates with writers and media makers globally.

HONORS
Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Best Short
BAFTA/LA Honoroable Mention
Regional Oscar , West USA Nomination
Emerging Independent Filmmaker , NTDV Profit
Times Warner Fellowship Semi Finalist for Feature Screenwriting
Ford Foundation Fellowship Panelist for Pan India stories

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Director Statement

Bringing authentic stories beyond borders , seeking truth with resilience and honing the craft are my stimulus for this dynamic journey as a film artist. Having juggled sensibilities of the east and west I am trying to have my own voice in media through dedicating myself to unique projects and independantly and bravely taking them out to the world. I enjoy research, I love performance and I live to direct various genres and narratives that perhaps help me find and accept parts of my own self and learn from others as well. I have had to fight for the path I have chosen with traditions of the social set up I grew up in and thankful for all opportunities I have received to move forward and explore new avenues to develop as a professional and as a person. mY work is largely but not limited to being female centric, exploring themes ranging from spiritual ,sexual to social.