Speaker
39 min | Gujarati and Hindi with English Subtitles | India | 2025
One of the few surviving Zoroastrians in the world, Dr. Homi is rich in inheritance but devoid of children. His only kin is his estranged nephew Jamshed. In the vast emptiness of his huge mansion, his young caregiver and cook, Lali, brings the warmth of a home with her tender, motherly love. On the day of Homi’s birthday, as Lali passionately cooks a Parsi feast of fish and vermicelli, Homi longingly waits for Jamshed to pay him a visit. As he considers who should inherit his estate, the film explores an unlikely bond shaped by loneliness, affection, belonging, and the human need for care. Will Homi finally acknowledge the value Lali brings to his lonely life?
The filmmaker will be present for a Q&A post the screening.
Venue: Seminar Halls
Speaker
Shayar Gandhi
Shayar Gandhi is a graduate of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, who pursued architecture before moving into filmmaking. Since 2014, he has been writing and directing commercials for various advertising agencies. In 2025, his critically acclaimed mid-length Gujarati feature film, Paswaar (Caress Me), premiered at the Oscar-qualifying Tasveer film festival in Seattle and won Best Actress at JIFF. He believes “well written is half done” and likes to craft stories that bridge the East and the West.
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