Nidhi Saxena's Film Explores Women's Desires at Venice Fest

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Filmmaker Nidhi Saxena explores the intricacies of women's desire in her latest film, "Secret of a Mountain Serpent," which premiered globally at the Venice International Film Festival.

Set against the Kargil War backdrop in a Himalayan town, the film tells the story of Barkha, portrayed by Trimala Adhikari. With most men away, Barkha and other women face solitude, but Barkha becomes intrigued by Manik Guho, an enigmatic outsider played by Adil Hussain. The narrative intertwines with a local legend of a serpent awaiting unfulfilled love.

Saxena expressed in a virtual interview from Venice the need to discuss women's desires, noting that many women restrain themselves from love, often viewing it as a dispensable emotion.

"It seems love is often the first sacrifice women make, as though it's insignificant. Women are often not permitted to desire, and if they do, especially sexually and emotionally, there's a stigma attached," Saxena explained.

An FTII graduate, Saxena debuted with "Sad Letters of an Imaginary Woman" in 2024. "Secret of a Mountain Serpent" incorporates elements of magic realism and folklore to illustrate its protagonist's defiance against loneliness.

"My lead character questions the need for self-sacrifice in absence. After waiting, she embraces her desires, demonstrating courage," Saxena commented. Women who wait are often idealized, but her protagonist owns her desires and allows herself to love anew.

The film fundamentally reflects the yearning to break free from societal moral constraints, which Saxena refers to as the "ultimate desire."

"True love transcends societal and moral boundaries. Society often dictates what and how we should desire, but genuine desire may be synonymous with freedom," she stated.

Saxena began the project post-winning the Busan Asian Cinema Fund for her 2024 film at the Busan Film Festival. Both films delve into themes of loneliness.

Drawing from her experiences living in the mountains of Almora and Kausani, Saxena noted, "Men, particularly those in the army, often migrate for work, leaving women behind. There's an intrinsic loneliness in the mountains."

Magic realism, inspired by authors like Gabriel García Márquez and Vinod Kumar Shukla, weaves through Saxena's storytelling. Serpent folklore enriches the narrative, a symbol she chose for its historical ties to desire.

"Secret of a Mountain Serpent" features Pushpendra Singh, Richa Meena, Aaradhya Mehta, Rashmi Kandpal, Paru Upreti, Heeraballabh Kandpal, and local non-actors.

Co-produced by Forest Flower Films, led by Cannes Camera d’Or winner Vimukthi Jayasundara and Pushing Buttons Studios owned by Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, the film promises to captivate.

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