STHAL (2025)

In a village in the Vidarbha region of India, a determined young girl, Savita, yearns for education
and a brighter future. However, as her farmer parents anxiously struggle to find a suitable
match for her, societal expectations place immense pressure on her to prioritize marriage over
personal aspirations.
Being dark-complexioned and short in height, Savita is seen as an added ‘burden’ on her parents
and ‘marrying her off’, as difficult as finding fair price for their crop. Facing countless rejections
from potential suitors, she must navigate a world where the pursuit of marriage overshadows
the very sustenance of life.
Shot on real locations with real people from the village, all non-actors, Sthal (A Match) is the
director's debut feature film that explores the tradition of arranged marriages in rural India
while highlighting patriarchy, colorism and social evil deeply rooted in society.