Filmmaker and producer Trupti Bhoir has reached a remarkable milestone as her first Hindi feature film, PARO – The Untold Story of Bride Slavery, officially enters the contention list for the 98th Academy Awards (2026). This recognition marks Bhoir’s return to the global cinematic stage, more than a decade after her Marathi production Touring Talkies entered Oscar contention at the 86th Academy Awards.
PARO tackles the sensitive and urgent issue of bride slavery and human trafficking, a consequence of gender imbalance and female infanticide in India. Bhoir, already celebrated as the first Marathi producer and actress to have an Oscar-listed Marathi film, continues her commitment to socially conscious cinema. Her earlier work, Touring Talkies, notably influenced policy, allowing tent cinemas in metropolitan cities and helping preserve a fading exhibition culture.
Produced under the banner Trupti Bhoir Films, PARO is based on extensive research conducted through Bhoir’s NGO, Shelter Foundation. The organisation has identified over 60,000 women affected by bride trafficking, documenting more than 4,500 cases from the Mewat region alone. The project has received praise from the Department of Social Justice and the Women’s Commission for its role in raising awareness and encouraging reform.
Bhoir commented on the journey, stating, “PARO was born from years of listening to women whose suffering often remains unseen. This film belongs to every woman denied dignity and choice. If it can change even one life, the struggle behind it is worth it.”
The film stars Trupti Bhoir, Taha Shah Badussha, and Govind Namdev. It is directed by Gajendra Ahire and co-written by Bhoir and Ahire. Executive producers include Shelter Foundation, Ruhi Hak of Hopeblit (A Voices Unheard Films), and Priya Samant, alongside Sandesh Sharda International Pvt Ltd.
Bhoir has presented her work on global platforms, including UN Women forums, TEDx, Harvard University, and cultural forums across Europe and the United States, advocating for women’s rights through cinema.
Currently, PARO awaits CBFC certification, which has been under review for over six months. While inclusion on the Oscars contention list signifies eligibility for Academy consideration, it does not represent an official country entry. Nonetheless, this milestone reinforces Bhoir’s position as a filmmaker dedicated to socially relevant storytelling on a global scale.
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