Acclaimed South Asian actress Manisha Koirala has been cast in the independent film “Cowgirls & Indians,” which is scheduled to begin production in November in the Austin, Texas region. The project, previously known as “Cowboys & Indians,” marks an expansion of writer-director Tejal Desai’s award-winning short film “Cowboys and Hindus.” Desai, a Nicholl Fellow, will helm the feature, which explores themes of cultural identity and resilience.
The narrative centers on a middle-aged Indian woman who experiences displacement while building unexpected relationships within the American Southwest landscape. Kirtana Banskota, known for producing “The World’s Happiest Man” and “Premonition,” is attached as producer. Koirala, recognized for her roles in Netflix’s “Heeramandi” and the classic film “1942: A Love Story,” emphasized the significance of securing substantive roles for mature female actors, noting that while progress is being made, considerable work remains in this area.
Director Desai praised Koirala’s ability to convey complex emotions through nuanced performances, highlighting her work from “Dil Se” through “Heeramandi.” She emphasized that Koirala’s combination of expressive depth and personal resilience made her ideally suited for the lead character. Desai further noted that Texas offers filmmakers advantages including favorable incentive programs and diverse landscapes suitable for production needs.
Originally reported by Variety →
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