Lucknow: Marking the occasion of Mother’s Day, Lucknow Bioscope organised a special screening of the film Zara Si Dhoop at 130 JC Bose Road. The event brought together cinema enthusiasts, artists, and members of the local community for an emotional cinematic experience centred on motherhood, family bonds, and women’s lived realities.
Created by filmmaker Aayushi Agarwal, Zara Si Dhoop explores the deeply emotional relationship between a young woman named Piyali and her mother Neelam. Through a sensitive narrative, the film portrays the emotional complexities, sacrifices, and silent struggles often experienced by daughters and women within families.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the film, Aayushi Agarwal said, “There is a very special relationship between mother and daughter which is what I wanted to show.” She added that the film was dedicated to her late Maasi (aunt), whose resilience and optimism significantly shaped the emotional core of the story.
“She suffered from severe medical conditions for a long time, but was very full of life. That’s where the title Zara Si Dhoop comes from,” the filmmaker shared during the interaction.
The film presents its female characters with realism and emotional sensitivity, highlighting personal sacrifices, unspoken emotions, and the quiet strength of women in family structures. The storytelling resonated strongly with the audience, particularly on the occasion of Mother’s Day.
Following the screening, an interactive discussion session was held with Aayushi Agarwal, where attendees engaged in conversations around the film’s themes, filmmaking process, visual treatment, and emotional depth. Audience members appreciated the authenticity of the narrative and the nuanced portrayal of familial relationships.
Aayushi Agarwal is a multidisciplinary filmmaker based in India. After completing her undergraduate studies in Communication Design, she pursued cinematography at the London Film School in 2021. Her work spans creative direction, production design, screenwriting, producing, and cinematography across both independent and commissioned projects.
The screening formed part of Lucknow Bioscope’s continuing efforts to promote meaningful cinema and cultural dialogue in the city, offering audiences a platform to engage with independent storytelling and socially relevant themes.
