‘Holding Back’ to compete at Mumbai film fest

Holding Back, which stars Indian National Award-winning actress Seema Biswas, will compete in the Best Short Film category of the upcoming third Navi Mumbai International Film Festival.

Directed by Wilson Louis, Holding back is based on a real-life 1999 incident — a man named Shiva, who was suffering from blood cancer, died on a train while travelling from Bengaluru to Chennai for a friend’s marriage. Shiva was travelling with his mother and elder cousin Suresh.

The film deals with the mother’s emotional journey after her son’s death.

“I am extremely happy that a simple heart-wrenching short film like Holding Back has been applauded so much. I am overwhelmed by the appreciation that has been given to it and feel honoured to play the role of Shiva’s mother,” Biswas said in a statement.

Biswas shot into fame in 1994 with Bandit Queen.

Holding Back also features Ananth Mahadevan, Aditya Lakhia, Raj Arjun and Kunal Kumar.

“I am ecstatic with the way the film has gone, and the selections and awards it has garnered. For a maiden production, it’s done extremely well. Hope we find someone who would love to put it out for the masses,” said producer Sheila Sandhu.

Holding Back has been honoured at various international film festivals such as Salento International Film Festival, Washington DC South Asian Film Festival and Nasik International Film Fest.

The dates for the third Navi Mumbai International Film Festival are yet to be announced.