First look at “Second Chance,” the debut feature film by writer-director Subhadra Mahajan. The film is set to premiere at the prestigious Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, commencing on June 28. This black-and-white film from India will compete in the Proxima section of the festival.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Pir Panjal range in Himachal Pradesh, “Second Chance” tells the poignant story of Nia, a young woman grappling with her first major trauma. Seeking solace, she retreats to her family home in the Himalayas. Amidst the timeless embrace of nature and the formation of unexpected friendships, Nia embarks on a journey of healing. The plot unfolds as the house’s caretaker leaves on an errand, placing his mother-in-law, Bhemi (70), and his young son, Sunny (8), in charge.
Subhadra Mahajan has drawn inspiration from her own experiences growing up in Himachal Pradesh, despite now living in Mumbai. The film weaves together dialogues in Hindi, English, and Kullavi, enriching its narrative depth. Reflecting on her work, Mahajan notes, “Second Chance explores the theme of healing — a wondrous and inexplainable process. It may be a very intimate and internal journey, yet it is a story I feel needs to be told to the world we live in today. An ‘instant’ world of tunnel vision, where a young person can feel the weight of a personal tragedy as something that they may never recover from. A self-obsessed world which has forgotten that the eternal cycle of Mother Earth functions far beyond human control.”
The film opens with a serene scene of Nia awakening in her family home, the mountain wind howling outside. A heartfelt gesture from Sunny, the caretaker’s son, in the form of a card, marks the beginning of her journey.
“Second Chance” features local talent from the area it is set in, casting newcomers Dheera Johnson (as Nia), Thakri Devi (as Bhemi), and Kanav Thakur (as Sunny) in leading roles. Dheera Johnson, who transitioned from a career as a primary school teacher and freestyle dancer, is currently pursuing professional acting in Los Angeles, supported by a Richard Boleslawski Scholarship.
This film marks a reunion between Mahajan and executive producer Pan Nalin. Their previous collaborations include “Angry Indian Goddesses” (2015), which garnered critical acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival, “Faith Connections” (2013), “Beyond The Known World” (2017), and “Last Film Show” (2021), the latter being India’s official submission to the Oscars.
Produced by Shyam Bora, co-founder of Metanormal Motion Pictures, “Second Chance” joins a portfolio of acclaimed films such as “Kothanodi,” “Aamis,” and “Emuthi Puthi.”
