Short Films: Ru Ba Ru + Shunya: Being Prafulla Mohonti

Tongues on Fire - UK Asian Film 2026

RU BA RU (30min)

Story by & Director: Kapil Tanwar

Key cast members: Indira Tiwari (Bhadra), Richa Meena (Rukmini), Lokesh Mittal (Bhanu), Anita Pradhan (mother/Janki)

Language: Hindi, Marwari

Two sisters—one a rudaali (professional mourner), the other a nachaniya (dancer)—struggle to preserve survival, dignity, and womanhood in rural Rajasthan. Battling casteism, societal judgement, and unwanted male attention, they discover strength in sisterhood and rebellion that needs no words. Ru Ba Ru is a raw and intimate portrait of Rajasthan—unfiltered, deeply rooted in Indian culture, and layered with the nuances of Indian filmmaking. A rare cinematic experience that is both viscerally real and culturally resonant.

Shunya: Being Prafulla Mohonti (72m) + Panel Discussion

Director: Soumya Pratihari

Shunya is a documentary exploring the life and artistic journey of Prafulla Mohanti, a 91-year-old British-Indian artist and author. The title reflects a recurring motif in his paintings, symbolizing the universe and infinity.