AI Generated Summary
- For Faridkot, it is a moment of celebration, with a local son representing Indian cinema on one of the world’s most prestigious platforms.
- His latest production, “Mother,” inspired by the life and spirit of Mother Teresa, will open the Horizons (Orizzonti) section at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, scheduled from August 27 to September 6 in Italy.
- As Faridkot eagerly awaits the film’s global premiere, Prateek’s success is already being hailed as an inspiration for young Punjabi storytellers dreaming of making it big on the world stage.
Punjab’s cultural pride is set to shine on the global stage as Prateek Bagi, a 32-year-old filmmaker from Faridkot, takes Indian cinema to new heights. His latest production, “Mother,” inspired by the life and spirit of Mother Teresa, will open the Horizons (Orizzonti) section at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, scheduled from August 27 to September 6 in Italy.
An alumnus of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata, Prateek heads Raging Films, a Kolkata-based production house that has handled the Indian leg of this ambitious international co-production. Speaking about his achievement, Prateek said, “Mother is not just a biopic; it’s a story about conviction and inner transformation. The fact that it was crafted with strong Indian involvement makes this global recognition even more special.”
The film is directed by award-winning Macedonian filmmaker Teona Strugar Mitevska and boasts an impressive collaboration of artists and technicians from India, North Macedonia, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
A Strong Indian – and Punjabi – Connection
While the film tells a universal story of compassion, it is deeply rooted in Indian—and by extension, Punjabi—cinematic talent. Prateek, who grew up in Faridkot, represents a new wave of young Punjabi filmmakers making their mark internationally. His journey from a small Punjabi town to one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals reflects the growing global footprint of Punjab’s creative community.
Shot extensively in Kolkata, the film captures iconic locations associated with Mother Teresa, including Howrah Bridge, Bara Bazaar, Kalighat, and Loreto Convent, where she once lived and taught. Much of the Indian unit working on the film were SRFTI alumni, ensuring an authentic representation of the city’s spirit while seamlessly collaborating with European crews.
Global Recognition, Local Pride
The selection of “Mother” to open the Horizons section—known for celebrating cutting-edge and experimental cinema—is a matter of great pride for Punjab. For Faridkot, it is a moment of celebration, with a local son representing Indian cinema on one of the world’s most prestigious platforms.
As Faridkot eagerly awaits the film’s global premiere, Prateek’s success is already being hailed as an inspiration for young Punjabi storytellers dreaming of making it big on the world stage.
