The upcoming documentary titled Until I Fly will have its world premiere on March 10 at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival. Directed by Kanishka Sonthalia and Siddesh Shetty, this project delves into the story of a young boy named Veeru.
According to Variety, Veeru belongs to Indian Nepalese heritage. He was born to an Indian mother and a Nepalese father, due to which he faced cultural rejection in his Indian Himalayan village. He is discriminated against daily for his mixed identity. Furthermore, things only get worse and more personal when he sees his visually impaired, bipolar-afflicted Indian mother getting tormented.
Interestingly, Veeru responded to his problems positively instead of fighting back. Furthermore, he discovered the sport of Kabaddi and took his village to victory in a state championship. According to the trailer for Until I Fly, its synopsis reads, “In an Indian Himalayan village, lives a charismatic boy born to an Indian mother and a Nepalese father.”
It further reads, “Veeru whose name means ‘brave’, with a heart fueled by resilience and a mind unyielding to adversity, embarks on a journey of self-discovery, navigating a world that rejects his mixed identity.”
Until I Fly: The directors’ goal was to showcase India’s social and political realities
The directors of Until I Fly, Kanishka Sonthalia and Siddesh Shetty, stated that they wanted to shed light on India’s social and political realities through the upcoming project. They said, “Shining a light on India’s social and political realities is deeply personal to us.”
They further said, “Our film illuminates the challenges faced by a young boy. While also offering a glimmer of hope, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit in adversity. It serves as a gentle reminder that even in the darkest moments. There exists an opportunity for growth, acceptance, and a sense of belonging.”
The company that produced Until I Fly is Kopuku Films.