Pavia Sidhu in person!

Director Tarsem Singh Dhandwar, known for his visually stunning Hollywood films, such as THE FALL, THE CELL and IMMORTALS, as well as groundbreaking music videos for the likes of R.E.M. and Lady Gaga, returns to his home state of Punjab to make his first film shot in India — DEAR JASSI.

The story revolves around Jassi (Pavia Sidhu), a 19-year-old woman from a wealthy family in Canada. She visits relatives in the Punjab and falls in love with Mithu (Yugam Sood), a handsome and enterprising young man from a working-class family.

Director Tarsem evocatively explores this Romeo-and-Juliet tale, based on a true tragic event from the ’90s, to paint a gorgeous filmic landscape of two innocent and romantic young lovers, juxtaposed with the visceral realities of familial and societal taboos and challenges.

Tarsem weaves Punjabi Sufi folklore into the gripping Shakespearean tale to create a striking, artistic film about injustice with a haunting, chilling finale that leaves a lasting impression.

WINNER  –  Toronto Film Festival 2023, Platform Prize

WINNER  – Dublin Film Festival 2024, Dublin Film Critics Circle Michael Dwyer Discovery Award to Lead Actors (Pavia Sidhu and Yugam Sood)

Content advisory: mature themes; violence; sexual violence