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Draft:Kabir Mehta

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Kabir Mehta
Born1990 (age 33–34)
Punjab, India
OccupationFilm director & screenwriter
Years active2015–present

Kabir Mehta (born 1990 in Punjab, India) is an Indian filmmaker known for his hybrid storytelling that blends documentary and fiction. His films explore contemporary themes such as digital culture, voyeurism, and identity, and have been showcased at major international film festivals. His work has been recognized for blending documentary and fiction.

Early life and education

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Kabir Mehta attended The Lawrence School, Sanawar. His educational journey set the foundation for his foray into filmmaking, where he developed a passion for narratives that blend reality with fiction. Early exposure to both mainstream and experimental cinema deeply influenced his storytelling style.

Career

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Mehta's career breakthrough came with his debut feature documentary, BUDDHA.mov (2017), a hybrid-style film that examined social media voyeurism through the life of a former cricketer, Buddha Dev. The film premiered at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival[1][2], had its Indian premiere at MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, and was later distributed on the global streaming platform Mubi.[3]

His earlier short film, Sadhu in Bombay (2016), won multiple international awards and was recognised for dealing with concepts that could easily be perceived as taboo and for mocking the whole concept of mockumentary.[4] The film screened at prominent festivals like the Slamdance Film Festival[5], the Ann Arbor Film Festival, where it won Best Narrative Film[6]. It was also awarded at the European Media Arts Festival.[7]

In 2021, Mehta released Nitty-Gritty Punjab Police, another acclaimed short film that further established his reputation for innovative storytelling. The film was featured at Mammoth Lakes Film Festival and Kassel Dokfest, where it was praised for its fresh approach to narrative cinema.[8][9]

In 2023, Mehta directed eight episodes of the Netflix Original series Class (2023). This series delved into issues of teen life, privilege, and social disparity.[10]

Style and Influences

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Kabir Mehta’s films are characterized by their blending of documentary and fiction, with a heavy emphasis on contemporary issues like digital culture, voyeurism, and personal identity.[11] His filmmaking style is immersive and experiential, often involving close collaboration with his subjects, which has been described as pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling.[12]

Filmography

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Feature Films

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  • BUDDHA.mov (2017)[13]

Short Films

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  • Sadhu in Bombay (2016)[14]
  • Nitty-Gritty Punjab Police (2021)[15]

Web Series

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Awards and Recognition

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BUDDHA.mov (2017)

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  • Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF): World Premiere.[17]
  • MAMI Mumbai Film Festival: Indian Premiere.[18]
  • Mammoth Lakes Film Festival: Special Mention Winner.[19]
  • Streaming on Mubi: Released globally.[20]
  • Critical acclaim from The Hollywood Reporter and Film Companion, which described it as an “oddly captivating examination of modern-day social media culture.”[21]

Sadhu in Bombay (2016)

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  • European Media Arts Festival (EMAF): EMAF Award winner.[24]
  • Mammoth Lakes Film Festival: Special Mention Winner.[25]

Critical Reception

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  • Harpers Bazaar lauded Kabir Mehta for his innovative and collaborative approach, highlighting how he crafts deeply immersive, process-driven films.[26]
  • Film Companion noted that BUDDHA.mov was a bold "deconstruction of social currency," applauding Mehta’s experimental techniques.[28]. Film Companion listed Mehta in the 25 prime innovators in entertainment[29]
  • The Hindu praised Sadhu in Bombay for its exploration of spirituality and urbanity, acknowledging Mehta’s ability to craft engaging and thought-provoking narratives.[30]


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  1. ^ "10 highlights from the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival".
  2. ^ "Tallinn 2017: Festival highlights & awards roundup". 11 December 2017.
  3. ^ "Lockdown Playlist: Indian Movies We Have No Excuse to Not Watch Now". 9 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Short Film Review: Sadhu in Bombay (2017) by Kabir Mehta". 10 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Slamdance Film Festival 2017 Reveals Special Screenings, Beyond and Shorts Programs". 6 December 2016.
  6. ^ "55th Aaff Awards". 26 March 2017.
  7. ^ "Hauptpreis für Medienkunst an Kabir | NOZ". 24 April 2016.
  8. ^ "Short Film Review: Nitty Gritty Punjab Police (2021) by Kabir Mehta". 4 November 2021.
  9. ^ "Kabir Mehta - Awards". IMDb.
  10. ^ Moksha, Tamma (14 February 2023). "Ashim Ahluwalia on the success of 'Class,' the next season of the teen-drama series, and more". The Hindu.
  11. ^ https://www.filmcompanion.in/buddha-mov-review
  12. ^ "Director's cut: Kabir Mehta on adopting a collaborative process and crafting immersive, experiential films".
  13. ^ "Kabir Mehta - Biography". IMDb.
  14. ^ "Short Film Review: Sadhu in Bombay (2017) by Kabir Mehta". 10 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Kabir Mehta - Awards". IMDb.
  16. ^ Moksha, Tamma (14 February 2023). "Ashim Ahluwalia on the success of 'Class,' the next season of the teen-drama series, and more". The Hindu.
  17. ^ "Tallinn 2017: Festival highlights & awards roundup". 11 December 2017.
  18. ^ "'Buddha.mov': Film Review | Mumbai 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. 29 October 2018.
  19. ^ "Mammoth Lakes Film Festival Awards 'My Name is Myeisha'". 30 May 2018.
  20. ^ "Lockdown Playlist: Indian Movies We Have No Excuse to Not Watch Now". 9 April 2020.
  21. ^ "'Buddha.mov': Film Review | Mumbai 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. 29 October 2018.
  22. ^ "Slamdance Film Festival 2017 Reveals Special Screenings, Beyond and Shorts Programs". 6 December 2016.
  23. ^ "55th Aaff Awards". 26 March 2017.
  24. ^ "Hauptpreis für Medienkunst an Kabir | NOZ". 24 April 2016.
  25. ^ "Sadhu in Bombay (Short 2017) - Awards - IMDb". IMDb.
  26. ^ "Director's cut: Kabir Mehta on adopting a collaborative process and crafting immersive, experiential films".
  27. ^ "'Buddha.mov': Film Review | Mumbai 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. 29 October 2018.
  28. ^ https://www.filmcompanion.in/buddha-mov-review
  29. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20190925164820/https://www.filmcompanion.in/fc-disruptors/2019/index.html
  30. ^ "When sadhu met cinema". The Hindu. 17 June 2017.
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