MUMBAI: Marathi film Baangdya that centers around the plight of widows of farmers will have its world premiere at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival that goes underway from 12 to 23 May.

Baangdya, shot entirely in black and white, brings forth the colourless life of farmers’ widows in India.

Said director Kedar Jape, "It‘s a great feeling that my first film has been selected for the world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. This is an acknowledgement to my cast and crew who worked hard to make this film possible.”

Baangdya revolves around a small village girl Chingi who loves to play with bangles. She finds out that her father had committed suicide and her mother is also on her way to do the same. The film tracks the girl‘s struggle to save her only parent and in the process reality about farmers is revealed.

‘Farmer suicide is a burning and socially relevant issue. These people suffer a lot and my film is an effort to create awareness about their plight not only at the domestic level but also at a global platform. This is a cause which is very close to my heart. I feel that through Cannes it will get represented all over the world,‘ Jape declares.

Talking about how tough it was to raise funds for the film Jape says, “I discussed my story idea with many people across the globe. Many of them responded positively by contributing small amounts. I am happy for those who supported me and showed their trust in me.”

Jape plans to take Baangdya that features Maithili Kadam, Madhugandha Kulkarni, Manoj Aacharya, and Hitendra Upasni to other film festivals as well.