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Shruti Haasan’s ‘The Eye’ set to mesmerise India at Wench Film Festival
MUMBAI: Indian audiences, prepare to be enthralled! Shruti Haasan is bringing her international lead debut to home turf. The Eye, a gripping British psychological thriller directed by Daphne Schmon, will premiere in India as the opening film at the fifth Wench Film Festival. The festival, founded by Sapna Bhavnani, is India’s only dedicated platform for horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films and will run from 27 February to 2 March 2025.
The Eye follows Diana (Haasan), who embarks on a journey to a remote island where her husband, Felix (Mark Rowley), drowned. Seeking closure, she plans to scatter his ashes, but instead, she stumbles upon the eerie ‘Evil Eye’ ritual. This ancient practice offers a tantalising promise—to bring Felix back—but at a chilling cost.
Shot on location in Athens and Corfu, the film immerses viewers in Greece’s breathtaking yet ominous landscapes. Following screenings at the London Independent Film Festival and the Greek International Film Festival, The Eye has generated significant global buzz, and its India premiere is set to amplify the excitement.
Speaking ahead of the Indian premiere, Haasan expressed her enthusiasm for the project. “Psychological thrillers have always been a genre that fascinates me. To be part of a story that dives deep into human emotions, grief, and the supernatural is incredibly exciting. Besides the fact that the film has a riveting storyline and top-notch production quality, what makes this project even more special is that it was created under an all-women-led production house, which aligns with my passion for supporting women in the film industry. Furthermore, this film champions a sustainable way of filmmaking, something that the world desperately needs. If we want to continue telling our stories, we must be able to tell them in a manner that is conscious of our impact”, she said.
Schmon, the creative force behind The Eye, shared her thoughts on the film’s depth and Haasan’s performance, “The Eye is both a love letter to Corfu, the island where my family is from, and an exploration of the dark psychological impulses surrounding grief. The story demanded an actor who could embody its emotional depth and complexity, and Shruti Haasan was the perfect fit. Her ability to navigate Diana’s grief, paranoia, and resilience with such authenticity is truly remarkable. It was only an artist of Shruti’s calibre who could do justice to this role, and she has delivered a stellar performance that will leave a lasting impact.”
Beyond its haunting narrative, The Eye represents a shift towards sustainable filmmaking. Produced by Fingerprint Content, the film’s team made conscious efforts to reduce its environmental impact during production, setting a new standard for responsible filmmaking.
With its powerful performances, an intriguing storyline, and an eerie yet visually stunning setting, The Eye is poised to leave audiences spellbound. As the festival opener, it will set the tone for a celebration of boundary-pushing genre cinema at the Wench Film Festival.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
