Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Maharshi Tuhin Kashyap claimed the Secret Program Fellini Award at the 27th Lucania Film Festival in Pisticci, Italy. This honor highlights his debut feature, Kok Kok Kokoook. The award commemorates Federico Fellini and celebrates his massive influence on global cinema. Renowned Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf curated the selection and handed Kashyap the trophy.
Kashyap shot this film as his final project at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute. The plot centers on Siken, a chicken seller who loses his RX100 motorcycle. Fear of being framed by police drives him to madness as he turns into the motorcycle itself. The story uses magic realism to pull apart current politics in Assam and the harsh reality for migrants.
The film previously premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and hit screens in Kerala and Dhaka. Kashyap remains humbled by the experience. "Having our film 'Kok Kok Kokoook' curated by legendary filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf, and receiving an award from him, feels like a dream. His films have always deeply influenced and inspired me," Kashyap said. He insisted the win belongs to his entire cast and crew.
This filmmaker is no stranger to global stages. His short film, The Horse From Heaven, made the 2023 Oscars list and grabbed top prizes at the Golden Raven and Bengaluru festivals. He also debuted his non-fiction work, Flowers In A Hailstorm, in Japan. This Italian win marks a new peak for his career.
Updated at 18th August 2026 at 1:50pm
The Lucania festival featured the European premiere of the film. Additional context on his past work reveals that The Horse From Heaven also snagged Best Film honors at the VGIK Film Festival, while Flowers In A Hailstorm saw its debut at the Nara International Film Festival in Japan.
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