Vinod Kapri’s ‘Pyre’ Wins Best Film at Chicago South Asian Fest
Vinod Kapri’s Pyre wins Best Film Audience Award in Chicago, continuing its global award streak.
Director Vinod Kapri's evocative drama 'Pyre' clinched the Best Film Audience Award at the 16th Chicago South Asian Film Festival, presented by acclaimed actor Shabana Azmi. This victory adds to the film's remarkable international journey, which began with its world premiere at the 28th Tallinn Black Nights International Film Festival in November 2024.
'Pyre' weaves a tender narrative around an elderly couple, Padam and Tulsi, residing in a remote Himalayan village deserted by the younger generation in pursuit of urban dreams. Isolated and grappling with fears over their final rites, their lives are transformed by a long-overdue letter from their estranged son after three decades, reigniting hope amid solitude.
The award marks Kapri's fourth U.S. accolade for the film. It previously triumphed at the 14th DC South Asian Film Festival with the Best Feature Film Award and swept both Best Feature Film and Best Director honors at the 8th India International Film Festival of Boston.
In July 2025, 'Pyre' earned the Grand Jury Best Feature Film Award, dubbed the “German Star of India Award,” at the Indian Film Festival of Stuttgart. Within a single month, the film amassed five international awards, including three Audience Choice Awards in Germany, Spain, and the UK.
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The film's non-professional leads, Padam Singh and Heera Devi, earned nominations for Best Actor and Best Actress at the 25th New York Indian Film Festival, where 'Pyre' received a resounding standing ovation. The ensemble crew features renowned talents such as musicians Michael Danna and Amrita Vaz, editors Patricia Rommel and Subhajit Singha, poet Gulzar, and producers Kapri and Sakshi Joshi, blending artistic excellence with authentic storytelling.
'Pyre' continues to resonate globally, celebrating themes of family, resilience, and rural life while garnering critical and audience praise across festivals.
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