Sohla

Sohla (English title: Celebration Under the Grey Sky) is an upcoming Indian Marathi-language drama film written and directed by Saaikat Bagban, marking his debut feature as a writer-director. Produced by Carryon Films, the film explores themes of grief, responsibility, and the transition from boyhood to manhood within a rural Maharashtrian setting.

The film was screened at the 22nd Third Eye Asian Film Festival, where it received a strong emotional response from audiences for its restrained storytelling and reflective tone.

Premise

The story follows Pashya, a flamboyant young boy inspired by Bollywood, who dreams of taking center stage during his village’s traditional coming-of-age ceremony known as Sohla. When a family tragedy abruptly alters his life, Pashya is forced to confront grief and responsibility, discovering the true meaning of adulthood.

Synopsis

After his father’s tragic downfall, Pashya must put aside his childhood dreams to support his grieving family. As the village’s sacred Sohla ceremony approaches—a tradition marking the passage into manhood—he faces a difficult choice: abandon the ritual or reclaim it in his father’s memory. Sohla presents a tender coming-of-age narrative centered on loss, resilience, and quiet transformation.

Cast

• Pravin Dalimkar
• Devdatta Prashant Gone
• Varsha Sunil Malwadkar
• Vaishnavi Sanjay Godke
• Alessandra Tarawhelan Marediz

Production

Sohla was produced under the banner of Carryon Films by Sachin Srivastav and Kavita Bagban. The film was completed in November 2025 and is presented in Marathi with English subtitles.

Festival Screening

The film was showcased at the 22nd Third Eye Asian Film Festival, where it was noted for its subtle emotional impact. Audience reactions highlighted the film’s quiet pacing, reflective silences, and its ability to evoke personal memories, particularly among older viewers.

Themes

Sohla explores themes of grief, masculinity, tradition, and emotional maturity. The film emphasizes internal transformation over dramatic expression, aligning with the reflective cinema typically associated with the Third Eye Asian Film Festival.

Director’s Statement

Director Saaikat Bagban described the film as a reflection of personal experiences, focusing on moments when individuals are forced to mature due to circumstance rather than choice. He has stated that the film seeks to portray the quiet struggle of loss, responsibility, and resilience.

Tagline

Between borrowed dreams and sudden grief, a boy discovers the weight of becoming a man.

See also

• Marathi cinema
• Third Eye Asian Film Festival