Debutant Director Suman Adhikary’s Widow’s Shadow Shines a Light on Love, Caste, and Resilience

Released in theatres on Friday, April 18th, Suman Adhikary’s first feature film, Widow’s Shadow, opens a bold conversation around widowhood, caste, and queer identity in small- town India.

Widow’s Shadow, the powerful debut feature by Mumbai-based theatre personality and filmmaker Suman Adhikary, is now screening in cinemas across India. Featuring a bold and empathetic narrative of two women navigating widowhood, caste discrimination, and same- sex love, the film stars Sankalitaa Roy, Palak Kayath, Pallavi Bhatt, Nandita Purohit, and Prithviraj Desai in pivotal roles.

Set in Udaipur, the film follows the story of Kajal, a woman from the marginalized Dom community, who walks out of an abusive marriage and repeated trauma. Played with emotional intensity by Sankalitaa Roy, Kajal finds unexpected companionship and eventually love in Aankhi, a recently widowed Brahmin woman portrayed with grace and strength by Palak Kayath. As they begin to rediscover their identities within a rigid, hierarchical society, their bond becomes a quiet act of rebellion.

Speaking about her character, Sankalitaa Roy says, “Kajal is a strong, independent woman who doesn’t wait for acceptance — she creates her own space in the world.” Palak Kayath adds, “Aankhi is a mix of fire and ice. She’s been broken but she never gives in. Her strength lies in how she chooses to live, not just survive.”

The film also features Pallavi Bhatt as Veena, a widow hardened by years of isolation and internalized oppression; Nandita Purohit as Ganga Devi, the only female Dom in Udaipur and Kajal’s quiet mentor figure; and Prithviraj Desai as Raja, Ganga Devi’s son.

Spotlight on the Dom Community

The Dom (or Dome) community is historically engaged in cremation duties and has long been relegated to the margins of Indian society. They continue to face entrenched caste- based discrimination, especially in rural and semi-urban parts of India. Through Kajal, the film highlights their struggles and silent contributions, challenging dominant narratives around purity, untouchability, and dignity.

A Director’s Vision Rooted in Experience

Suman Adhikary, who has spent 18 years in Kolkata’s vibrant theatre circuit and made acclaimed short films like Rannaburi, Bochor Tirish Por, and Subarna Sen, brings a rich humanism to his debut. Speaking about the film, he says, “I have made this film as I strongly believe this conversation is needed in our society — a conversation on equality and the freedom to love, irrespective of sex, caste, or creed.”

Running at approximately 83 minutes, Widow’s Shadow combines stark realism with poetic moments, backed by a moving soundtrack featuring Shubha Mudgal, Kavita Seth, and Richa Sharma, with lyrics and music by Adhikary himself.

Business & Distribution

Widow’s Shadow is currently running in theatres in Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Jaipur, Udaipur, Hyderabad, Kochi, Gurugram, Chennai, and Bengaluru.

• Music Partner: Panorama Music
• Digital Partner: Believe
• Radio Partner: Friends 91.9 FM

Ticketing Partner: BookMyShow

The film’s music is streaming across platforms including Spotify, YouTube Music, JioSaavn, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Gaana.

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