NETFLIX’S INDIAN STORIES WIN BIG AT THE ASIAN ACADEMY CREATIVE AWARDS

Ajeeb Dastaans, Bombay Begum and Pagglait, (Konkana Sen Sharma, Amruta Subhash, Umesh Bist and Anthony Reuben respectively) win jury and audience love at AACA 2021

Mumbai, December 4, 2021: It has been an extraordinary year for Indian content on Netflix with films and series that have won audience love and multiple international accolades around the world. ‘Pagglait’, ‘Bombay Begums’ and ‘Ajeeb Dastaans’ stood out this year at the AACA held in Singapore, bringing home laurels with Director Umesh Bist winning Best Original Screenplay for Pagglait while Sound Editor Anthony Ruban winning in the Best Sound category for the same film. On-screen talent was not far behind with Konkona Sen Sharma claiming gold for Best Actress In a Leading Role with her much-acclaimed role in Geeli Pucchi (‘Ajeeb Daastaans – Anthology). Amruta Subhash went on to win for Best Supporting Actress for her powerful performance in Bombay Begums. Recognizing excellence in the creative industry, the Asian Academy Creative Awards have been established to honor content from across the APAC region.

Pagglait was a heart-warming film released earlier this year by Netflix focussing on a young woman who is widowed soon after her marriage and how she grapples with her inability to grieve while dealing with her quirky relatives, discovering herself and her relationships in the process.

Ajeeb Dastaans is an anthology in four parts, each diving into uncomfortable emotions simmering under fractured relationships (Geeli Pucchi is directed by Neeraj Ghaywan starring Konkana Sen Sharma and Aditi Rao Hydari).

Bombay Begums is based on five ambitious women from various walks of life navigating dreams, desires and disappointments in modern-day Mumbai.

On being awarded for his efforts for the film Pagglait, Director Umesh Bist, said, “Pagglait was always very special to me, right from the genesis of the idea to its completion. The story came from my deep lived experiences and I was blessed to get a talented cast and crew, which executed it honestly. I feel humbled and delighted to win the Best Original Screenplay for Pagglait at AACA and would like to thank Asian Academy Creative Awards and the esteemed jury. Also, I am thankful to all those who believed and supported me along the journey including Guneet and her team at Sikhya Entertainment, Ekta and the team at Balaji Telefilms as well as Netflix for taking it to a global audience.”

Sound Editor Anthony Ruban also shared his gratitude,“I am really happy that the sweet simple sounds of Pagglait have won international acclaim and recognition on a global stage. Pagglait is a special film, it is a human story and my goal while sound editing for it was to convey the emotions in the most humane manner possible. I am grateful that I got this prestigious award and would like to share it with the entire team of Pagglait. Special thanks to Umesh Bist, Guneet Monga, Achin Jain, Boloy, Sikhya Entertainment, Balaji Telefilms and the team at Netflix for taking these sounds to the world.”

Talking about her win for Geeli Pucchi in Ajeeb Dastaans, actress Konkona Sen Sharma said, “When I first read this script I was completely taken in by it. It was written so beautifully and was so powerful. Trying to understand Bharati Mondol’s identity made me grow as a person and I am so grateful to my director Neeraj Ghaywan for this. The character is so nuanced and layered conveying so many emotions in the span of a short film. I am grateful to the audience for all the love they gave to Geeli Pucchi and to the Asian Academy Creative Awards for presenting me with this honour. Also, I am so glad Netflix could take this beautiful story to the world.”

Amruta Subhash, on being awarded as the Best Supporting Actress for her role in Bombay Begums, shared, “It is so encouraging to see a host of women-led content taking centre stage today. Bombay Begums was a series that rested entirely on the shoulders of these powerful women as they led from the front. It is a beautiful nuanced story with layered characters played by female leads driving the entire storyline, something unheard of in the past. Taking on the role of Lily wasn’t an easy task, it was challenging to portray ambition, power, greed and humanity, all in one character. The role entailed a lot of hard work but I thoroughly enjoyed it. To be awarded for my performance and hard work fills me with great joy. I dedicate this award to Reshma appa, the actual bar dancer who was kind enough to open the doors of her soul for me and give me the soul of Lily. I am grateful for everyone who supported me and helped throughout my journey as Lily. Also a special thanks to Alankrita for writing this story and creating the character of Lily. With Netflix, the story and Lily could reach an audience all over the world which was humbling.”

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