At Kinaare’s première at the Dharamshala International Film Festival, actor Rajeev Siddhartha saw that the person sitting next to him was on the verge of breaking down. The actor wasn’t surprised because that is exactly the reaction he hoped the quiet family drama would elicit. “Kinaare is a gentle film, which tells us that we should [let go of] our grudges, resolve our conflicts, and meet our family. The person sitting next to me was left overwhelmed. It’s the most truthful response one can hope for,” said Siddhartha.

Kinaare is the maiden production of Kirti Kulhari, who also leads it. Helmed by Akbar and Azam Quadri, the movie follows Kulhari’s character, a single woman whose life changes when her cousin returns home after 15 years. Siddhartha, who portrays the cousin, said the script reminded him of Iranian auteur Abbas Kiarostami’s offerings.