Official US Trailer for ‘Cactus Pears’ Romantic Indie Drama from India

Official US Trailer for ‘Cactus Pears’ Romantic Indie Drama from India

by Alex Billington
October 19, 2025
Source: YouTube

“Any special friend in Mumbai?” “The special friend never lasts.” Strand Releasing has debuted an official US trailer for an indie film titled Cactus Pears, a romantic drama about a lost newborn man connecting with another man. This first premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, then it went on to play at other fests including New Directors/New Films, San Francisco, Taipei, and Melbourne. Anand, a 30-something city dweller compelled to spend a 10-day mourning period for his father in the countryside of western India, tenderly bonds with a local farmer who is struggling to stay unmarried. When the mourning ends, forcing his return, Anand must decide the fate of his relationship born under duress. Described as “a poignant approach to unspoken sorrow.” The film stars Bhushaan Manoj as Anand, Suraaj Suman, and Jayshri Jagtap. After giving it a prize, the Sundance Jury stated: “This is the great modern love story. To say it’s an honor to award this tender film is an understatement. We cried, we laughed, and we wished to be loved in the same way. It is exactly what the world needs right now.” Another tender slice of cinema in 2025.

Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Rohan Kanawade’s film Cactus Pears, direct from YouTube:

An Indian family consecrates the loss of its patriarch with a 10-day mourning period that strands Anand (Bhushaan Manoj) in the countryside he long ago deserted for Mumbai. Grief’s common phases (poring over elderly photos, sharing beloved memories) coexist with local rituals, all while Anand’s hidden desires materialize in a rekindled friendship with childhood companion Balya. Through these experiences, sensual discoveries, and Bhushaan Manoj’s ever-measured performance, [this] emerges as an exquisite character piece perfected by its heartrending finale. Cactus Pears is written and directed by the newcomer Indian filmmaker Rohan Kanawade, making his feature directorial debut after a few other brief films previously. Produced by Naren Chandavarkar, Neeraj Churi, Mohamed Khaki, Sidharth Meer, Kaushik Ray, Hareesh Reddypalli, Rohan Kanawade. This initially premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, where it won the World Cinema Grand Jury prize. Strand Releasing will debut Kanawade’s Cactus Pears film in select US theaters starting on November 21st, 2025 this fall. For more info, visit their official site.

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