SECOND CHANCE
a film by Subhadra Mahajan
2024, 104 minutes, India, 1.66, Black and White, 5.1 Sound, in Hindi, English and Kullavi with English subtitles
Sales/Festivals: Diversion (Thailand)
Synopsis:
After experiencing the first major trauma of her young life, Nia retreats to her family summer home in the Himalayas where time, nature and unlikely friendships help her heal.
About the Director:
Subhadra Mahajan
Subhadra Mahajan was born & raised in the small mountain state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India & currently resides in Mumbai. She has had a long collaboration with filmmaker Pan Nalin, most notably in co-writing ANGRY INDIAN GODDESSES (2015) which premiered at Toronto International Film Festival, was Runner Up for the Audience Choice Award & released theatrically in over 60 countries. It won accolades for being ground- breaking in its non-apologetic depiction of womanhood in contemporary India. Subhadra also worked with Nalin as 2nd Unit Director on LAST FILM SHOW, India’s official entry to the Oscars of 2023. Subhadra’s debut feature film as a writer-director; SECOND CHANCE (2024) premiered at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Proxima Competition in July 2024. The film garnered rave reviews across the board with The Hollywood Reporter praising the film for ‘effortlessly blending gentle humour with poignant drama’; and Variety declaring her as one of the ‘new female Indian filmmakers at the vanguard of a movement, whose movies share a certain, wise-beyond-their-years poetry.’ The film has travelled to more than thirty festivals in different corners of the world such as Busan International Film Festival, AFI Fest, Sao Paulo International Film Festival, Adelaide Film Festival, International Film Festival of Kerala and continues to travel till date. Second Chance was theatrically released in Indian cities in June 2025, a unique feat for an arthouse black and white indie without a star cast in the country. In its making, the project had been part of 2020 Arthouse Produire au Sud Workshop, NFDC Film Bazaar's 2021 Co Production Market, Marche Du Film of Cannes 2021 and Film Independent's 'Global Media Makers' programme 2022. A Berlinale Talent of 2025, when she is not developing films in the mad city of Mumbai, Subhadra regularly takes time out to travel, often escaping deep into the Himalayas, determined to stay in touch with her roots & keep her soul intact.
Trailer
Festivals
- Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Proxima Competition
- Busan International Film Festival, A Window on Asian Cinema
- Filmfest Hamburg
- São Paolo International Film Festival, New Filmmakers Competition
- Adelaide Film Festival
- AFI Fest, Discovery
- Belfast Film Festival, International Competition
- Dharamshala International Film Festival
- International Film Festival of Kerala, Indian Cinema Now
- Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival, Indian Competition, Best Script Award
- Cinevesture International Film Festival
- Wales One World Film Festival
- Wisconsin Film Festival
- MOOOV Film Festival
- FilmKunstfest Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Habitat Film Festival, New Delhi
- Shanghai International Film Festival
- New York Indian Film Festival, Best Screenplay Award
- Malaysia International Film Festival
- Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
Materials
Poster
Press Kit
Still Images
Press
"This is a remarkably accomplished debut feature, premiering in Karlovy Vary’s Proxima competition just a couple of months after Mahajan’s compatriot, Payal Kapadia, won the Grand Prix in Cannes for “All We Imagine as Light.”"
Jessica Kiang, Variety
"Effortlessly blending gentle humor with poignant drama"
Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter
"A penetratingly vivid, emotionally complex portrait of a woman resurfacing from shattering grief with a deepening robustness of spirit"
Debanjan Dhar, High On Films
"Once the story opens in the spectacular Himalayan scenery with the camera perched on the top of a hill to embrace it all, one can feel the overwhelming power of nature and its invisible creatures and deities."
Marina D. Richter, Asian Movie Pulse
"As a portrayal of personal turmoil, it stands out as an engaging debut, showcasing the talent for visual poetry."
Dipankar Sarkar, Talking Films
"Gentle drama punctuated with regular humour to galvanise renewal"
Ben Nicholson, The Film Verdict
"A story infused with tenderness and optimism, and wrapping up with a small yet potent gesture of emancipation. A movie worth giving a chance!"
Victor Fraga, Dirty Movies
Writer/Director
Subhadra Mahajan
Starring
Dheera Johnson
Thakri Devi
Kanav Thakur
Producer
Shyam Bora
Executive Producers
Pan Nalin
Swapnil Suhas Sonawane
Cinematography
Swapnil Suhas Sonawane
Editing
Tinni Mitra
Music
Quan Bay
Sales Contact
Festivals Contact
