Netflix Brings Gitanjali Rao’s Blooming ‘Bombay Rose’ to the World

The widely acclaimed animated feature Bombay Rose, from award-winning filmmaker Gitanjali Rao, will be available to stream for film lovers around the world this fall through a new global acquisition (excluding China) by Netflix. The feature is due for release in France in 2021.

Synopsis: Escaping from child marriage, a young club dancer living in the streets of Bombay, must choose between fending for her family and finding love with a boy orphaned by the militancy. Painted frame by frame and woven delicately through music, a red rose brings together three tales of impossible loves. Love between a Hindu girl and a Muslim boy. Love between two women. Love of an entire city for its Bollywood stars. Based on true events, the film explores the ruthlessness of a society where the love and life that reigns on the big screen can crush you in its mean streets.

Produced by Cinestaan Film Company and Les Films d’Ici with animation by Paperboat Design Studios, Bombay Rose made history as the first Indian animated feature ever selected to open the Venice International Film Critics’ Week. The film was also an official selection at international festivals including TIFF and BFI festival, winning awards at Chicago (New Directors Silver Hugo) and Mumbai (India Gold – Silver Gateway Award, Manish Acharya Award for New Voices in Indian Cinema).

“Having struggled six years to make the film happen, I cannot be anything but immensely grateful to Cinestaan and Les Films d’Ici for supporting and making Bombay Rose, and to Netflix for believing in it enough to bring it to the right audience!” Rao shared in the announcement.

Rao previously earned three Cannes Film Festival awards, Annecy Cristal nomination and numerous other accolades for her 2006 short, Printed Rainbow.

Bombay Rose is directed, written and edited by Rao. Producers are Rohit Khattar and Anand Mahindra; executive producers Deborah Sathe and Tessa Inkelaar; and co-producers Charlotte Uzu and Serge Lalou. Soumitra Ranade served as animation producer for the film, with Rupali Gatti as production designer. 

The principal voice cast is Cyli Khare, Amit Deondi, Gargi Shitole and Makrand Desphande.

Bombay Rose