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Mukesh Modi's KHOONTA wins London film award
The award follows the film's market premiere at Cannes and its efforts to bring Himalayan stories to international audiences.
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 12, Jun 2026
- 09:34 EDT
- 41
KHOONTA's poster / Handout
Indian American filmmaker Mukesh Modi's Himalayan drama Khoonta won the Best Foreign Feature Film award at the 2026 London Independent Film Awards.
This marked another international milestone for the film following its market premiere screening at Cannes.
Also Read: Filmmaker Mukesh Modi prepares Khoonta for Oscars
The award comes as the filmmakers continue positioning Khoonta for a wider international audience following its Cannes market premiere and preparations for an international awards campaign.
KHOONTA won the Best Foreign Feature Film award at the 2026 London Independent Film Awards / HandoutSet in the Himalayan region, the film is inspired by the traditions of Himachal Pradesh's Giripar region and draws from the cultural practices of the Hati and Gaddi communities, as well as Jaunsari culture. Inspired by the spiritual traditions associated with Mahasu Maharaj, Khoonta explores themes of faith, heritage and identity while depicting life in mountain communities.
Beyond its cultural narrative, the film highlights environmental challenges affecting Himalayan states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, including floods, landslides, ecological imbalance and the consequences of unchecked human intervention in nature.
Khoonta at Cannes / Handout
Produced by Modi under the banners of Indie Films Inc and D Star Entertainment, and written and directed by Anushi Sharma, the independent feature has drawn attention for combining a story rooted in Himalayan culture with a message about environmental conservation.
According to the filmmakers, the central message of Khoonta is "Don't Play with Nature," emphasizing the need to respect and protect fragile ecosystems as climate-related disasters increasingly affect mountain regions.
The London Independent Film Awards recognition further elevates the film's international profile and reflects growing global interest in stories emerging from the Himalayan region.
As KHOONTA continues its international journey, its creators say the film seeks to raise awareness about the relationship between communities and the natural environment while showcasing the cultural traditions of the Himalayas.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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