Cinestaan’s animated feature ‘Bombay Rose’ premiered at the 21st Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival With Star and received a rapturous response from the home crowd. The screening of the film, followed by an engaging Q&A session was attended by Creator, Writer and Director of Bombay Rose, Gitanjali Rao, Producer Rohit Khattar, Sound Designer PM Satheesh as well as many from the film fraternity including Sriram Raghavan, Vikramaditya Motwane, Ratna Pathak Shah & Naseeruddin Shah. 

 Actor Naseeruddin Shah gave thumps up to the film saying, “Bombay Rose by Gitanjali Rao is a painstakingly and lovingly made, most wonderful film in a very long time. Thanks Gitanjali to you and your entire team”

Speaking after the heartwarming response at the India Premiere, Chairman of Cinestaan Film Company and Producer Bombay Rose, Rohit Khattar said , ‘After such an international whirlwind of festivals, we at Cinestaan are extremely excited to show the film to our home audience. We are honoured to be placed alongside such a great selection of Indian films in the India Gold section. My team and I congratulate Gitanjali along with PM Satheesh, Paperboat Studios, and all those who have worked on this labour of love.’

Director Gitanjali Rao said, ‘Whilst I have been overwhelmed by the international audience’s responses to Bombay Rose, it is nerve-wracking to premiere the film at home to those who live and love in this city. I was extremely nervous so now I can breathe!. The audience response was all I could wish for.”

 Bombay Rose is the first Indian Animation film ever selected to open Venice Critic’s Week. The film had its North American premiere in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). and was then selected as part of Special Presentations to play at the BFI London Film Festival 2019 followed by its Asian Premiere at Busan International Film Festival 2019. Many more festivals are to follow. 

Bombay Rose opened Critics Week at Venice International Film Festival receiving an overwhelming response, as well as in Toronto, London & Busan, from audiences and critics before returning home to compete in the prestigious  ‘India Gold’ section which showcases the best talent from India.

 Bombay Rose is the long-awaited feature debut of India’s leading animator Gitanjali Rao. It is the story of a flower seller who has to make the choice between protecting her family or allowing herself to fall in love. This touching story is set on the streets of Mumbai and moves from real life to fantasy, accompanied by much-loved Bollywood songs from the cinema halls. Painted frame by frame, for which Gitanjali is famed, Bombay Rose is a chronicle of the people who migrate from small towns, seeking minimal life in the maximum city.

 Produced by Anand Mahindra and Rohit Khattar for Cinestaan Film Company (who also recently executive produced the 3 Academy Award-nominated ‘Cold War’), Bombay Rose has been written, designed and directed by Gitanjali Rao. The film is in co-production with Film d’Ici and was delivered at Mumbai based PaperBoat Animation Studios where a team of over 100 animators painted a million frames to bring this film to life. Working creatively alongside Gitanjali was acclaimed sound designer P M Satheesh.