Anurag Kashyap boards Rotterdam-premiered drama Delupi
Indian auteur Anurag Kashyap has come on board as presenter of the Bangladeshi drama Delupi, which had its international premiere at the 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam. The film will carry the Anurag Kashyap Presents banner across future release and promotional campaigns, giving Mohammad Touqir Islam's political village story a wider platform as it continues its festival and distribution journey.
Key Takeaways
- Anurag Kashyap will present Delupi under the Anurag Kashyap Presents banner.
- The film premiered in IFFR's Bright Future section earlier in 2026.
- Director Mohammad Touqir Islam wrote, produced, directed, and shot the drama.
- Three Bangladeshi titles screened at IFFR 2026, a landmark showing for the country's cinema.
- Kashyap praised the story as humane and deeply moving.
What Is Delupi About?
Delupi is set in a Bangladeshi village dealing with the aftermath of a flood and political upheaval. The story centers on Partha and Nupur, whose romance becomes a target when local political operator Zakir stirs up a conspiracy against young activist Mihir.
As Mihir considers leaving the village in defeat, Partha convinces him to stay and lead the community's fight for a sustainable dam to protect their homes. Kashyap said the village, cut off from the rest of Bangladesh by floods following a regime change, works as a metaphor for the whole country.
He compared rebuilding the dam to rebuilding a nation from scratch with no resources. Islam directed, produced, wrote, and shot the film, shaping its intimate portrait of ordinary people under pressure.
Why Did Anurag Kashyap Board the Project?
Kashyap will champion Delupi and present it to wider audiences as it moves through festivals and release. He described the story as very humane and said it feels like our own back yard, signaling why the Gangs of Wasseypur filmmaker wanted his name attached.
The director added that the film moved him in ways I can't describe, a rare public endorsement from one of India's most influential independent voices. That backing could help a debut feature from Bangladesh reach viewers who might otherwise miss festival circuit titles.
For more on how global filmmakers are backing international cinema, see our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.
How Did Delupi Fare at Rotterdam?
Delupi had its international premiere in the Bright Future section of the International Film Festival Rotterdam earlier this year. The premiere came during a landmark edition of IFFR for Bangladeshi cinema, with three productions from the country selected across three different competitive sections.
Those titles were Delupi, Roid, and Master, marking the first time that many Bangladeshi films had featured together at the festival. Master went on to win the Big Screen Award, underscoring a strong showing for the country's filmmakers on the European circuit.
Variety reported Kashyap's involvement as an exclusive, citing his plan to support the project through its next phases. Read the full report at Variety.
What Happens Next for Delupi?
No specific streaming or theatrical dates were announced alongside Kashyap's presenter role. The focus for now is on extending the film's festival run and building audience awareness through the Anurag Kashyap Presents label.
That model has helped other regional films find distribution after strong festival debuts. Delupi's Rotterdam premiere and Kashyap's endorsement place it among the Bangladeshi titles worth watching as release plans firm up.