Pingyao, Oct 18

Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar play India's oldest sharpshooters, Prakashi and Chandro Tomar, in "Saand Ki Aankh", and during the film's screening at the 3rd Pingyao Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon International Film Festival (PYIFF) in China, the two actresses got together with their real-life inspirations for a photo-op.

The response was clearly overwhelming for all associated with the moderate-budget film who were present at the festival screening, and Tushar Hiranandani, the debutant director of "Saand Ki Aankh", said: "When a film gets this kind of response from such a prestigious platform and honourable people, it gives a great boost to the entire team. I am positive that the audience will also love the film."

"Saand Ki Aankh" is scheduled to release on October 25, and is one of the Diwali releases of the year. It is the only mainstream Bollywood film this year to be screened at the festival held in the Shanxi province.

Talking about the film, Marco Müller, artistic director of the festival, shared: "With his debut film, Tushar Hiranandani hits the bulls-eye! I have seen in recent years only a handful of Bollywood movies that can boast such an intelligent blend of entertainment and realism, comedy and cutting-edge social criticism. Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar are exceptional in 'Saand Ki Aankh'. The film will confirm their star status in China too and I can predict a huge box-office success for it in the Chinese market."

"Saand Ki Aankh" has also been chosen as the closing film at the ongoing Jio MAMI 21st Mumbai Film Festival with Star.

The film is co-produced by Reliance Entertainment, Anurag Kashyap and Nidhi Parmar.

This year, National Award-winning filmmaker Rima Das' short film "For Each Other" also had its World premiere at the Pingyao International Film Festival, on October 17.

"For Each Other" is part of a five-film anthology made by one filmmaker each from the BRICS nations -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The theme of the anthology is 'Neighbours'.

"When I got to know the theme for the BRICS short film is 'Neighbours', I knew at that very moment what foundation my story would be built. I have fond memories of a strong sense of community in my neighbourhood -- the one-on-one interactions people have on a daily basis, being involved in each other's lives through joys and sorrows, through fights and differences, sometimes they are for and sometimes they are against each other," said Rima Das.

Saand Ki Aankh', Rima Das' short at China's Pingyao film fest