Rohan Parashuram Kanawade’s Sabar Bonda takes place in a village near Sangamner in Maharashtra‘s Ahmednagar district. The Marathi film explores the manner in which shared childhood memories between two men blossom into a taboo romance.

After Anand’s father dies in Mumbai, he accompanies his mother Suman to his father’s ancestral home to observe the traditional 10-day mourning period. Anand’s family gives him a long list of dos and don’ts. What nobody tells Anand (Bhushaan Manoj) is that he will run into his old acquaintance Balya (Suraaj Suman).

Balya gives Anand much-needed comfort and the perfect excuse to escape his stifling family. Their relationship is best captured by the cactus pears – the red, lush and juicy sabar bonda – that grow in the region and that have inspired the film’s title.

Kanawade’s restrained, tenderly observed feature debut will be globally premiered at the Sundance Film Festival (January 23-February 2). Sabar Bonda is the only Indian title in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition section, and the first Marathi movie to be picked for this category. For Kanawade, a self-taught filmmaker who grew up in hardscrabble circumstances and previously worked as an interior designer, reaching a prestigious festival like Sundance is a remarkable feat.

The 38-year-old filmmaker spoke to Scroll about what inspired Sabar Bonda, the challenges...