Ashish Pant always wanted to direct a feature film that relates back to the people and subjects of his home country—India. The idea of opportunity sparked with the drama The Knot (Uljhan) that allowed him to showcase India story wise in so many different ways. 

Here’s the official synopsis: 

In this suspenseful drama, Shirish and Geeta, an upper middle class Indian couple, accidentally run over someone. Their differing reactions to the consequences of the accident reveal fissures in their relationship and put their values and beliefs to the test. The Know (Uljhan) explores class conflict, materialism, and guilt. It asks whether high walls and locked gates can banish inequality and class structure, or whether the complicity of the middle class infects our most intimate relationships. 

The movie stars Saloni Batra, Vikas Kumar, and Nehpal Gautam. 

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LRM Online’s Gig Patta talked with director and writer Ashish Pant on his feature film directorial debut. We discussed about the story construction, character development, and the behind the scenes production back in India. 

Ashish Pant is a college professor who teaches film at the College of mount Saint, who was originally from Lucknow in northern India. He completed his MFA in film in screenwriting and directing from Columbia University in New York. In 2017, The Knot (Uljhan) was one of the 18 projects selected by NFDC Film Bazaar, a co-production market for South Asian films. Prior to the feature film, he directed many short films, including Green Is the Warmest Color, Cow Dung Cakes, Psychiatrist Breakup, and Byron Jones. 

The Knot (Uljhan) makes its world premiere in the international competition at the 2021 Santa Barbara International Film Festival this week. 

Watch the exclusive interview below. Let us know what you think. 

Source: LRM Online Exclusive