Marathi filmmaker Gaurav Thakur’s Indo-German survival thriller, The Bombay Blood, is eyeing a limited paid showcase across Indian cities following its official theatrical release in Germany on August 20.
Shot extensively in Bremen, Northern Germany, the film features Thakur in the lead alongside German actors Dirk Böhling (The Golden Glove), Philipp Oliver Baumgarten and Katrin Ingendoh, and Marathi actor Kashyap Parulekar.
The Bombay Blood follows Keshav, an Indian folk performer who travels to Germany and unexpectedly finds himself at the centre of a deadly global phenomenon. His rare ‘Bombay Blood Group’ becomes the potential key to humanity’s survival, setting off a high-stakes pursuit. The film was shot primarily in English, with sprinklings of Marathi and Hindi.
According to the makers, the film was completed in nine months beginning with its principal photography in Panvel, Maharashtra, before shifting base to Bremen, making it a unique trans-national collaboration.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, Thakur detailed the film’s unusual production and rollout. “Moving to Germany in 2024 and finishing The Bombay Blood was like an adventure in itself and then I dropped a video asking people to help and review the trailer on Instagram. That went viral and helped connect with Indian audiences.”
A fan-led campaign called ‘Bring das Ding nach Hause’ (bring the film home) led to the makers announcing limited paid shows in India. Running from September 30 to October 8, the film will be screened in Pune, Baramati, Panvel, Nashik, Bengaluru and other Indian cities.
“The fans started demanding paid screenings before the release mainly because of the effort of the film and its original concept,” Thakur said. “They also knew this film is taking the Marathi language global in an international film for the first time.”
The German cast of the film will join the India tour at the end of September. The makers are in talks for a theatrical distribution deal in India.