Anurag Kashyap-backed "Songs of Forgotten Trees," the directorial debut of Anuparna Roy, has made a splash at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, premiering to a full house and garnering praise. The film, presented by Anurag Kashyap, is the only Indian selection in the Orizzonti Competition section, a segment known for showcasing new trends, debut works, and independent films.

Kashyap, who has come on board as a presenter for Anuparna Roy’s film, expressed his support for the movie, which had its world premiere at the festival. Following the premiere, Kashyap conveyed his excitement about the film's warm reception. He commended Anuparna and her team for their dedication in bringing such a film to fruition in the current environment, remarking that he himself wouldn't have been able to accomplish it even 25 years prior. He further added that he believes the film will have a long journey ahead and that Anuparna is undoubtedly a strong emerging voice in Indian cinema.

"Songs of Forgotten Trees" explores the intertwined lives of two migrant women in Mumbai. Thooya, played by Naaz Shaikh, is an aspiring actress who navigates the city using her beauty and wit, sometimes trading intimacy for opportunity. She sublets her apartment to Swetha, portrayed by Sumi Baghel, a corporate employee and fellow migrant. The film delves into their evolving relationship as they discover a silent empathy amidst the chaos of Mumbai, while also confronting their personal histories, desires, and wounds. The narrative unfolds as "a strange and tender unfolding—of selfhood, of survival, of unexpected kinship".

Director Anuparna Roy, who initially self-funded the project while working three corporate jobs, is drawn to stories that mainstream cinema often overlooks. She explains that the film is inspired by her childhood friend, Jhuma Nath, whose child marriage was carried out under a failed government scheme. Roy aims to give voice to the unheard and offer solace through her storytelling. She expressed her gratitude to her team and producers for their unwavering support.

The film is produced by Bibhanshu Rai, Romil Modi, and Ranjan Singh, with co-production by Navin Shetty and Anuparna Roy. Ranjan Singh of Flip Films has praised Anuparna Roy as a "unique voice".

Adding to the film's momentum, Celluloid Dreams, a French sales company known for championing auteur-driven cinema, has acquired the worldwide sales rights for "Songs of Forgotten Trees". Celluloid Dreams' CEO, Saliha Guemraoui, expressed excitement about supporting the film and starting a new partnership. Anuparna Roy stated her faith in Celluloid Dreams to take the film to a global audience.

"Songs of Forgotten Trees" features cinematography by Debjit Samanta, editing by Ashish Patel, and music by Nishant Ramteke. The cast includes Naaz Shaikh, Sumi Baghel, Bhushan Shimpi, Ravi Maan, Pritam Pilania, and Lovely Singh. The film's synopsis describes it as a tender exploration of kinship and resilience in a fractured world.