Rohan Parashuram Kanawade

Rohan Parashuram Kanawade is an emerging Indian filmmaker and director, celebrated for his debut feature film, Sabar Bonda (Cactus Pears), which won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Raised in the Mumbai slums, Rohan's passion for storytelling took root during his childhood, leading him to leave his career in interior design to pursue filmmaking full-time. Sabar Bonda, a Marathi-language film, draws from his personal experiences, particularly his journey through grief following his father's death. The film explores themes of love and identity, challenging the notion that queerness is a Western concept by grounding its narrative in Indian culture. With a unique blend of local storytelling and global vision, Rohan's work has garnered international recognition, showcasing the importance of authentic representation in cinema.