Exclusive: Rima Das’ ‘Village Rockstars 2’ Secures Worldwide Sales After Busan Triumph

Bangkok-based Diversion has taken on worldwide sales for Rima Das’ new film, “Village Rockstars 2.” This highly anticipated sequel will make its European debut at the Berlin Film Festival.

The original film, released in 2017, told the heartfelt story of a 10-year-old girl named Dhunu who dreams of owning a guitar and forming a rock band in her village in Assam, India. “Village Rockstars” earned acclaim at major festivals like Toronto and San Sebastian, winning several awards, including Best Film at India’s National Film Awards. It was even India’s entry for the Oscars.

In the sequel, we find a now-teenage Dhunu grappling with the challenges of growing up. The story picks up seven years after the first film, exploring her transition from childhood dreams to adult realities. “Village Rockstars 2” premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in 2024, where it won the Kim Jiseok Award, and will soon be featured in the Berlinale’s Generation 14plus Competition.

Rima Das is the creative force behind the film, handling writing, directing, production, cinematography, and editing. She collaborates with a talented team, including Fran Borgia, Jaya Das, Yao Chen, and Cao Yu, with production support from Flying River Films, Akanga Film Asia, and Bad Rabbit Pictures. The cast includes Bhanita Das, Basanti Das, and Manabendra Das.

Das expressed her excitement about the project, stating, “‘Village Rockstars 2’ is special to me as a sequel to our beloved first film. We are thrilled to partner with Diversion, who truly understands the essence of independent and arthouse cinema.”

Diversion is currently promoting a strong lineup of films led by women, such as Bhutanese filmmaker Dechen Roder’s “I, The Song” and Indian director Subhadra Mahajan’s “Second Chance.” Mai Meksawan of Diversion shared, “It’s striking how many films by women filmmakers we’ve acquired recently, and it’s been an organic process that we’re proud of.”