Birds in the Dark (Hanere de Panchi) is an upcoming Indian Punjabi-language film written, directed and cinematographed by Shashank Walia. Produced by Reema Kaur, Hansal Mehta and Sahil Saigal, it is set in rural Punjab, and features dialects of Punjabi, Kashmiri and Urdu. It will have its world premiere at the 31st Busan International Film Festival, in the Vision Asia section on 10 October 2026.
Premise A disillusioned police informer and a man he once wrongly captured find their way back to each other in a caste-divided village, where a landless woman's fight for land unsettles the old order, pulling their lives into a gathering struggle of desire and solidarity.
Cast Mauli Singh Sapna Das Harwinder Singh Aujila Navdeep Bajwa Shahnawaz Bhat
Production In March 2025, it was reported that Hansal Mehta would produce the film with Reema Kaur and Sahil Saigal, which is directed by Shashank Walia, and co-produced by Mauli Singh, and Gagan Deep Kaur.
Release Birds in the Dark will have its world premiere at the 31st Busan International Film Festival in the Vision – Asia section on 10 October 2026.
The poster of the film was released on 5 October before the world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival. The poster art is designed by Siva Chand M S, with typography by Sudarshan Devadoss. It depicts the film's focus on how caste, class, gender, land and work shape people's lives, while also highlighting broader themes that run through the story.
Accolades
The film will compete for the Vision Awards at the 31st Busan International Film Festival.
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Busan International Film Festival 15 October 2026 Vision Awards Birds in the Dark
References
External links