JAMMU, Oct 14: Filmmaker Rahhat Shah Kazmi’s Bombay Stories, inspired by the literary legacy of renowned writer Saadat Hasan Manto, continues to attract attention on JioHotstar two weeks after its release, bringing the spotlight on Jammu’s emerging talent alongside established names from the Indian entertainment industry.
Starring Mouni Roy and Anupriya Goenka, the film also features Shoib Nikash Shah, Fezan Khan, Tani Deol and other performers. Through its exploration of human desires, social hypocrisy, moral contradictions and uncomfortable realities, the film draws inspiration from Manto’s fearless literary tradition of confronting subjects often considered taboo.
For Jammu, the film holds particular significance as it features Shoib Nikash Shah, Fezan Khan and Tani Deol, highlighting the region’s growing presence in contemporary Indian cinema. Their participation in a project featuring nationally recognised performers reflects the opportunities emerging for regional artists to reach wider audiences through mainstream and digital platforms.
Directed by Kashmir-born filmmaker Rahhat Shah Kazmi, Bombay Stories examines themes of sexuality, class, power, dignity and human behaviour, questioning the boundaries society places on individual expression. The narrative encourages viewers to reflect on the contradictions between public morality and private realities.
For Kazmi, the project represents an engagement with questions that remain relevant in contemporary society: who determines what is acceptable, why certain subjects remain taboo, and how social judgments often reveal deeper contradictions within society itself. The filmmaker also appears in the film as an actor, expanding his creative involvement in the project.
The performances of Mouni Roy and Anupriya Goenka anchor the ensemble, while the inclusion of artists from Jammu adds a significant regional dimension to the production.
Produced by Rahhat Shah Kazmi, Tariq Khan and Asiya Kazmi, the film involves international production partners, including Sonali’s Music Room and Gargi Duggal Productions in the United States, Monika Aggarwal and Ashpro in the United Kingdom, and Alpha Productions, among other associates.
Kazmi’s previous projects include Lihaaf, Country of Blind and Love in Vietnam, featuring Shantanu Maheshwari and Avneet Kaur. His work reflects a continued interest in literary adaptations, cross-cultural collaborations and unconventional storytelling.
With its Manto-inspired themes and participation of artists from Jammu and Kashmir, Bombay Stories brings together literary heritage and regional talent, reinforcing the potential of filmmakers and performers from the region to contribute to wider cinematic conversations.