Kahwa Trailer Unveiled: A Glimpse Into Kashmir’s Struggle Post-Burhan Wani

Kahwa: Shubh Mukherjee, known for his documentaries and ad commercials, has returned to fictional filmmaking after 13 years with his film Kahwa. Set in Kashmir, the film highlights a significant true event in the city's recent history. After gaining international acclaim at various film festivals, the filmmaker recently unveiled the trailer of Kahwa for the Indian audience, featuring Gunjan Utreja.

Shubh Mukherjee chose to release the trailer around Independence Day to emphasise Kashmir's importance. He explains, "This film talks about an important place for all of us, Kashmir. It's always been very volatile and on the radar for disrupted peace. It's always looked through the lens of either of the two different ideologies- pro India or anti-India. As we are celebrating India's independence, it's very important to understand the importance of freedom in a state like Kashmir. That's what they have always fought for in their mind, their sense of freedom which they feel they hadn't got. Independence is supposed to be celebrated by each citizen and it's about doing it together. Kahwa celebrates the thought of togetherness, humanity and peace against war."

The film is set against the backdrop of militant Burhan Wani's encounter in Kashmir. His death triggered the longest single spelling curfew in the state. The relationship between civilians and the army has always been tense in Kashmir, with mutual suspicion prevailing on both sides.

Kahwa uses this tension to convey a message of hope and positivity through a story about a tea seller and an army man bonding over tea conversations in Kashmir. The film aims to spread a message of unity despite differences.

"The film has done rounds of film festivals globally, including Los Angeles, Istanbul, Chennai, London and also the Cannes Film Festival, and talking about the appreciation Kahwa has received from global audience," Shubh says it gave them an insight into a place they hadn't known much about. "Those people aren't aware about what happens in places like Kashmir, and through Kahwa, they got to know something new," he says.