Chhatrapal Ninawe’s internationally acclaimed debut feature Ghaath (Ambush) which had its World Premiere at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival 2023 in Panorama is slated for theatrical release in India.

The Marathi-language film, a slow-burn thriller set on the fringes of India’s jungles occupied by Maoist rebels and revolves around the tense interplay between guerrillas, civilians and the police.

Produced by Shiladitya Bora’s Platoon One and Manish Mundra’s Drishyam Films along with Milapsinh Jadeja, Sanyukta Gupta and Kunal Kumar the film stars Jitendra Joshi and Milind Shinde, as well as Suruchi Adarkar, Dhananjay Mandaokar and Janardan Kadam.

The film is shot by Udit Khurana whose recent work includes popular Netflix documentary ‘The Hunt for Veerappan’ and Huma Qureshi starrer ‘Bayaan’ whose principal photography concluded recently. Ghaath boasts a talented crew; three of them, the director, producer, and cinematographer, are alumni of the prestigious Berlinale Talents.

The 124-minutes-long crime thriller was selected for the Work-In-Progress Lab at India’s Film Bazaar where it won the Lab Award and at Berlinale it was also nominated for GWFF Best First Feature Award endowed with 50,000 euros. The film had its India premiere at Jio MAMI 2023 followed by International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).

Sharing his excitement about the India release, writer-director Chhatrapal Ninawe says, “Ghaath is an intense and personal film and a thrilling exploration of trust and betrayal, set against the raw, untamed backdrop of Maharashtra’s remote regions, where the rule of law is fragile, and danger lurks in every shadow.  And You never know when an ambush might happen. The characters are shaped by their surroundings—constantly navigating moral dilemmas and survival instincts. I’m excited to finally bring this story to Indian audiences, and I believe its gripping narrative and layered characters resonate with viewers from all walks of life. Ghaath invites you to experience a world which is very real – where trust is rare and survival comes at a price.”

 “Ghaath is a diamond in the rough, a story that stands out from the crowd. As a producer, I have always been drawn to bold and exciting narratives. Be it Newton, which was India’s official entry to the 90th Academy Awards; Picasso, Indian National Film Award-winning film, Prime Video India’s first Marathi direct to digital acquisition); upcoming Marathi-Japanese romance drama Him, Her & Fuji, and Bayaan, starring Huma Qureshi, developed under Film Independent and mentored by Craig Mazin; I have always been committed to bringing these groundbreaking stories to the forefront.  Ghaath is a testament to this commitment, a story that deserves a global audience. I hope that viewers will give Ghaath a chance to shine and experience how it’s meant to be experienced, in the cinema halls, where it truly comes alive.” says Producer Shiladitya Bora.

The team has submitted the film for consideration for India’s Official Entry for the Oscars. The makers are planning a staggered release: on 27th September 2024 they will release in cinemas across Maharashtra, followed by metros and key cities across India in the subsequent week, and North America theatrical in November 2024.

Director’s Statement
At its core, Ghaath is a story about trust—a fragile bond that can be both a source of survival and vulnerability. In Marathi, “Ghaath” is a word with dual meanings: “betrayal” and “ambush,” which perfectly encapsulates the film’s exploration of deception and the complexities of human relationships. Set against the rugged and untamed backdrop of Maharashtra’s remote jungles, the film delves into the lives of individuals navigating a world where the lines between right and wrong are blurred. For generations, the indigenous people of this region have fought to protect the three essential elements of their existence: land, water, and forest.

Ghaath focuses on three central characters—a mysterious wanderer, a cunning renegade, and a disillusioned lawman. Each is accompanied by a companion representing the indigenous populace: an informer seeking redemption, a man without a past, and a young tribal girl discovering her place in the world. Their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, revealing how trust is built and broken in a place where danger is ever-present and the usual rules do not apply. Rather than concentrating on larger systems or ideologies, I chose to delve into the personal journeys of these individuals, shaped by their environment and circumstances. The film ventures deep into the jungles and the psyches of those living on the fringes of society, offering an intimate look at how prolonged unrest affects both the perpetrators and the victims.

In Ghaath, I aim to present an authentic and gripping narrative that resonates with audiences on many levels. By focusing on the personal over the political, the film invites viewers to reflect on universal themes of trust, betrayal, and survival in challenging times.

Chhatrapal Ninawe

Chhatrapal Ninawe is an Indian filmmaker, director, and screenwriter. In 2022, Chhatrapal was part of the Berlinale Talents. His first feature GHAATH (2023) won the WIP Lab award at NFDC Film Bazaar in 2020 and GHAATH (2023) went on to be selected at the Berlinale Panorama 2023 and nominated for the GWFF First Feature Film Award. He took home the 15th Giuseppe Becce Award as the Best Director for the film, an award organized by the Cineclub Verona and FEDIC magazine at the Berlinale 2023. GHAATH was also selected at the Jio MAMI Mumbai FF, IFFK and AEIFF. His short film, A CHEQUE OF DEATH (2007), is based on the farmer’s suicide issue in Central India. It won an award at the Filmaka India contest.

About Platoon One and Shiladitya Bora 

Headquartered in Mumbai, Platoon One is a boutique film studio founded by Shiladitya Bora who is credited for leading Indie release banner PVR Director’s Rare, the limited release arm of PVR Cinemas group, India’s biggest exhibitor, and successfully releasing more than 85 films. An alumnus of the prestigious Berlinale Talents 2015, Shiladitya Bora has been associated with all aspects of films and filmmaking, from direction, production, marketing, distribution to commissioning of projects for the past fifteen years. Bora has been associated with some of the best Indian independent cinema of the past decade with films such as Court, Masaan, Newton, SIR among others. Platoon One’s upcoming film, BAYAAN starring Huma Qureshi developed at LA Residency of Global Media Makers – Film Independent, also a winner of Hubert Bals Fund recently completed its principal photography. Platoon One is planning to expand its footprints to the North American Market, and have recently incorporated Platoon One Inc at Oakland California.