{"id":480276,"date":"2025-04-08T14:05:05","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T08:35:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nagalandpost.com\/?p=480276"},"modified":"2025-04-08T14:05:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T08:35:06","slug":"bafta-winner-henshall-joins-theja-rios-nagaland-set-film","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nagalandpost.net\/index.php\/2025\/04\/08\/bafta-winner-henshall-joins-theja-rios-nagaland-set-film\/","title":{"rendered":"BAFTA winner Henshall joins Theja Rio\u2019s Nagaland-set film"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Nancy Nisa Beso<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Douglas Henshall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Theja Rio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In a significant boost to regional cinema, BAFTA-winning actor Douglas Henshall has joined the cast of an upcoming independent feature film set in 1960s Nagaland, India. The yet-to-be-titled project is being directed by Theja Rio, a rising filmmaker from Nagaland, and produced under the banners of Winter Hymns Films and Undercover Squirrel.
This ambitious period drama, which marks Theja Rio\u2019s feature film debut, delves into an unexplored chapter of Naga history. Blending local narratives with universal themes, the film seeks to present Nagaland\u2019s cultural and historical depth to international audiences.
Bringing Nagaland to the World Stage: The story unfolds against the backdrop of the socio-political landscape of 1960s Nagaland, a time of deep transformation. While plot details remain under wraps, the film promises a powerful narrative interwoven with the region\u2019s unique traditions, personal conflicts, and collective memory. Through this cinematic journey, Rio aims to address larger questions of identity, belonging, and resilience. \u201cThis is a story rooted in where I come from, but its emotional core is universal,\u201d said Theja Rio. \u201cWe are telling it with honesty and craft, using real places, real people, and the texture of real history. Shooting on 16mm film was a deliberate choice to bring warmth and authenticity to the visuals, echoing the era we are portraying.\u201d
The film features a large ensemble of first-time Naga actors, adding further authenticity and fresh perspectives to the narrative. The casting of Douglas Henshall in a pivotal role brings global attention and gravitas to the project. Known for his powerful performances in films like The Salvation, The Small Hand, and as DI Jimmy Perez in the BBC crime drama Shetland, Henshall\u2019s involvement underscores the film\u2019s cross-cultural ambition. The film is being shot on location across Nagaland and is a truly global collaboration, with an emerging but skilled crew from India and Europe.
Cinematography is helmed by Polish filmmaker Adam Pietkiewicz, known for his tactile and poetic visual language. Production Design is led by Margarida Caetano Dias, whose attention to historical accuracy brings the aesthetics of 1960s Nagaland vividly to life.
Costume Design by Manisha Garg focuses on period-accurate wardrobe with deep cultural grounding. Makeup and traditional tattoo design are handled by Nagaland-based Priya Lahon, who plays a crucial role in authentically rendering indigenous tribal identities on screen. Line Producer Niraj Kumar Pandey oversees logistical operations, ensuring seamless execution across challenging terrains.
Local talent, global vision: The film is an intersection of local storytelling and global cinema, championing the importance of unheard voices from remote corners of the world. According to co-producer Nancy Nisa Beso, \u201cThis film is an act of cultural memory. It\u2019s not just entertainment\u2014it\u2019s preservation, celebration, and global sharing of a region often left out of mainstream narratives. Working with Theja and an exceptional crew has made this an unforgettable experience.\u201d
She added that despite the challenges of shooting in remote areas with limited infrastructure, the local communities have provided immense support, making the production a collaborative effort in every sense.
The production also aligns with a growing global interest in indigenous narratives and underrepresented regions, especially those dealing with themes of post-colonialism, identity politics, and socio-cultural transformation.
About the producers: Winter Hymns Films, founded by Theja Rio, is a Kohima-based production house known for its evocative short films that have screened and won accolades at various international film festivals. This project marks its expansion into feature filmmaking.
Undercover Squirrel, led by Nancy Nisa Beso, is a Mumbai-based production company focused on diverse, impact-driven storytelling across films, documentaries, and digital media.
Set for festival circuit: The film is currently in the final leg of its principal photography and is expected to enter post-production by mid-2025. The producers have confirmed that the film is being readied for a 2026 premiere at major international film festivals, with strong aspirations for a global theatrical and digital release.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a significant boost to regional cinema, BAFTA-winning actor Douglas Henshall has joined the cast of an upcoming independent feature film set in 1960s Nagaland, India. The yet-to-be-titled project is being directed by Theja Rio, a rising filmmaker from Nagaland, and produced under the banners of Winter Hymns Films and Undercover Squirrel.This ambitious period drama, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40752],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-480276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-infotainment-nagas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nagalandpost.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480276","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nagalandpost.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nagalandpost.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nagalandpost.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nagalandpost.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=480276"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nagalandpost.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480276\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nagalandpost.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=480276"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nagalandpost.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=480276"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nagalandpost.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=480276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}