Indian film Early Days draws attention at Red Sea Film Festival
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Cast and crew of the film Early Days on the Red Sea Film Festival red carpet
Jeddah: In the New Visions Competition section of the Red Sea International Film Festival, the Indian film Early Days, directed by Priyankar Patra, drew strong attention from audiences. Centered on modern relationships and the world of social-media influencing, the film had its global premiere at the festival.
Set in Mumbai, the two-character drama follows a young couple who end up entering the digital world almost by accident. The film explores how the need for attention and validation from others can shape, and sometimes break, a romantic relationship. By blending the immediacy of social media with cinematic realism, Early Days reflects the rhythm of life for a generation that exists both online and offline.
Produced jointly by Four Films (India) and Hazelnut Media (Singapore), the movie’s executive producer is acclaimed filmmaker Aditya Vikram Sengupta.
Director-writer Priyankar Patra said that the initial inspiration came from his cousin, who had shown growing interest in content creation.
“Even though we may use the same tools, our professions and methods don’t have to be the same. This realization drew me closer to the world of content creators and influencers”, said Patra.
”My personal connection with them helped me see their lives with more empathy”.
Patra added, “Mumbai promises fame and money, but surviving here comes at a high cost, especially if you’re trying to maintain the kind of lifestyle people expect to see. When relationships are constantly displayed, they stop feeling personal and become more like performances. My film aims to portray this pressure without judgment”.
Lead actors Mansi Kaushik and Sarthak Sharma, along with director Priyankar Patra and executive producer Aditya Vikram Sengupta, interacted with the audience after the screening. Many Indians attended the event, including India’s Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Soori.
