Mango Dreams Trailer: Pankaj Tripathi helps an ageing doctor reach his childhood home in this international film

The trailer of the international film Mango Dreams, was released by the makers on Wednesday. The English language film is directed by American filmmaker John Upchurch and stars Ram Gopal Bajaj, Pankaj Tripathi, Sameer Kochhar, Rohini Hattangadi, Naseeruddin Shah, SM Zaheer, and Farah Ahsan. It is written by Mazahir Rahim, Hamza Rahim, John Upchurch.

The trailer opens with some glimpses of the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. It introduces us to Dr. Amit Singh, an ageing Hindu man struggling with dementia who returns to India to visit his childhood home. He forms an unlikely friendship with Salim, a Muslim auto-rickshaw driver, who helps him in reaching his home through a road journey across cities. Sameer Kochhar plays the role of Amit’s son who wants to send his father away to an old-age home.

Speaking of his experience of working with Pankaj, director John said in a press note, “I loved working with Pankaj. He's a passionate actor, a devoted family man, and a true comedian. He's quick-witted and always has a joke up his sleeve. Even though I don't speak Hindi, I could appreciate his humor on set. He truly respects the director's vision and brings characters to life in an unmatched way."

Actor Ram Gopal Bajaj added in his statement, “The film explores the timely theme of divisions caused by caste, religion, and political pressures. While physical borders may exist between nations, districts, or even houses, the film argues that true humanity transcends such divisions."

Pankaj Tripathi's performance in the film earned him the Best Actor Award at the Capetown International Film Market and Festival in 2017. The film has also been recognized at numerous international film festivals, including the Arizona International Film Festival in 2016, London Asian Film Festival and Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival in 2017.

Mango Dreams is produced by John Upchurch and Mazahir Rahim with Anamika Sharma serving as the co-producer. It will be released on the independent OTT platform, Open Theatre on October 16.