Filmmaker Gaurav Madan’s debut feature Barah By Barah has been declared the winner of the FIPRESCI-India Grand Prix 2021. Members of FIPRESCI-India (India chapter of the International Federation of Film Critics: FIPRESCI) have adjudged the film the Best Indian Feature Film of 2021. 

Nikhil Mahajan's family drama Godavari, Don Palathara's 85-minute single-shot film Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam (Joyful Mystery), Martin Prakkat's crime thriller Nayattu, Jeo Baby's The Great Indian Kitchen were some of the other films on the list. 

The Great Indian Kitchen, Barah by Barah among 10 films shortlisted for FIPRESCI-India Grand Prix

Set in the holy town of Benares in Uttar Pradesh, the film tells the story of Sooraj, a death photographer trying to earn a living. However, the popularity of smartphones threatens to make his occupation redundant. The film is a comment on the town itself where on the one hand lie development projects and on the other, the historical remnants of a holy city.

I believe I have had a rebirth after completing Barah By Barah, says director Gaurav Madan

Speaking about the win, Madan said in an exclusive quote to Cinestaan.com, "FIPRESCI is a hugely respected entity internationally. Receiving their highest honour, the Grand Prix, is really humbling. This is a very big milestone in the journey of my debut feature film Barah By Barah. I cannot wait to bring the film to the general audience and share my joy with them. Thank you, FIPRESCI-India jury for choosing my film as Best Feature Film of 2021."

Barah By Barah was screened at the International Film Festival of Kerala and had its international premiere at the 24th Shanghai International Film Festival. The film has been screened at several film festivals across the world.

The films voted by the members in preferential order are as follows:

01. Barah By Barah, Hindi, Director: Gaurav Madan

02. Nine Hills One Valley, Manipuri, Director: Haobam Paban Kumar

03. The Road to Kuthriyar, Tamil-English, Director: Bharat R Mirle

04. Semkhor, Dimasa, Director: Aimee Baruah

05. The Great Indian Kitchen, Malayalam, Director: Jeo Baby

06. Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam (Joyful Mystery), Malayalam, Director: Don Palathara

07. Manikbabur Megh, Bengali, Director: Abhinandan Banerjee

08. Godavari, Marathi, Director: Nikhil Mahajan

09. Pedro, Kannada, Director: Natesh Hegde

10. Nayattu, Malayalam, Director: Martin Prakkat