A private screening of “Paro: The Untold Story of Bride Slavery,” was held on November 10, 2024, at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Tysons at the Boro, in Virginia.
Lead Actress Trupti Bhoir, Lead Actor Taha Shah Badussha, Lead Producer Sandesh Sharda, Executive Producer and Impact Advisor, Priya Samant, along with other key members of the team, attended the screening of the film, which sheds light on critical issues around bride slavery and human trafficking in India and globally.
Former Miss World and television personality, Diana Hayden, who graced the event as a special guest, told South Asian Herald, “The movie Paro just blew my mind, because I didn’t know something like this existed. And apparently most people in India don’t know that something like this exists. It was an eye opener, it was hard hitting, it gave me goosebumps and it brought tears to my eyes,” she said, hoping that the movie makes its mark at the Oscars.
Commending both male and female leads for their performance, she noted, “Both of them did a great job. I also think the whole weight of acting fell on the male lead in the film, because he was a very strong catalyst for the change, and the shift that happens in the movie.”
She also underscored the research done by the female lead and pointed out “Her research and the way she set it, really paid off. It has very strong impact.”
To prepare for her role, Lead Actress Bhoir, traveled to Mewat in Haryana with her mother to conduct in-depth research on the issue, further enhancing the authenticity of her portrayal. Since the area was considered somewhat unsafe for women, a local NGO accompanied Bhoir and her mother. The two posed as journalists to better understand the challenges faced by women in the village, according to Bhoir.
Bhoir, who portrays Paro, a woman married to three husbands, told South Asian Herald, “This film highlights bride slavery and trafficking, issues that are prevalent not just in India but in many countries. Through this movie, we are speaking out boldly about it.”
The film was shot across a variety of locations across India, including Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Manwa village in Lucknow, Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Chambal Valley in Madhya Pradesh, and Pune in Maharashtra. According to Bhoir, these varied settings in different states offers audiences a rich visual experience, showcasing differences in landscapes, attire, language, and culture. Despite these changes, Paro’s unchanging identity as a “slave,” underscores the grim reality of her plight.
“It was horrifying to witness how, in many parts of India, women are still treated as bride slaves. It’s absolutely shocking,” she shared, adding that the experience was so distressing her mother struggled to cope. As a filmmaker whose work focuses on social issues and delivering powerful messages, Bhoir said she managed to control her emotions in the face of such harsh realities.
Bhoir has starred as the lead actor in nine films and has produced six movies in Marathi. Remarkably, one of her films was even nominated for an Oscar in 2014. She has also written scripts for four movies, showcasing her talent as a storyteller.
Actor Badussha told South Asian Herald, “The movie delves on a very hard-hitting subject where brides, or young girls, have been kidnapped or abducted and then sold. It happens not only in India, but also in countries such as Vietnam and Pakistan. This is a story of a woman, who gets abducted, gets sold up north in Mewat in Haryana. And it’s about her journey of how she gets sold from one person, getting married and sold repeatedly.
Highlighting the plight of women facing this crisis in real life, Saha emphasized that these women “lack an identity or basic rights. Their entire lives are spent being sold from one person to another, essentially as bride slaves.”
He stressed that the primary goal of the film is to raise awareness about such practices, which persist both in India and globally. “We would like to support these women who are going through such treacherous times. If we can make a difference, even for one person, then we’ve achieved our mission. This film is about standing with women who cannot stand for themselves,” Saha shared.
Executive Producer Samant, who played her first role as a supporting cast in the movie, told South Asian Herald, “I am honored to amplify this powerful narrative. This film is not just a story – it is a movement to uncover hidden truths, inspire dialogue, and drive change toward justice and equality.”
Commending the performances by Bhoir and Shah, Chair of Virginia Asian Advisory Board, Srilekha Palle, told South Asian Herald “Both of them vividly bring to life the heart-wrenching story of Chand, whose journey marked by abuse, being sold as a bride, and the devastating loss of her son serves as a stark reminder of the atrocities of human trafficking”
Palle noted that the film is a poignant call to action for justice and eradication of such practices.
Marina Maximova, an attendee at the premiere, told South Asian Herald, “Paro was a powerful and emotional experience that left a lasting impact on me. It sheds light on the heartbreaking reality of bride slavery, based on true events, and highlights the urgent need for awareness and change. It’s a story that stays with you.”
