‘Collaborator’ Premieres In San Diego, Explores Kashmir Conflict
India-West Staff Reporter
SAN DIEGO, CA – Following the success of The Kashmir Files, another cinematic portrayal of life in the conflicted region of Kashmir premiered at the 2024 San Diego International Film Festival. The Collaborator, a coming-of-age drama set in the 1990s, delves into the experiences of a young boy navigating life along the Line of Control during the height of the region’s turmoil.
Adapted from Mirza Waheed’s acclaimed novel of the same name, the film follows the protagonist, referred to simply as “The Boy,” as he is recruited by an army officer to enter the conflict zone and retrieve weapons and identification cards from fallen militants. His harrowing task is compounded by the constant fear of finding one of his missing friends among the dead.
Directed by Travis Hodgkins in his feature debut, the film captures the complex emotions of adolescence caught amidst chaos. Hodgkins, who also adapted the script, shared his reverence for the novel’s unique perspective. “It’s like suddenly being lost in a storm without a compass,” he explained. “The protagonist learns to trust himself in a world where even adults seem lost.”
The film boasts an international cast, including UK actor Rudi Dharmalingam (The Lazarus Project, Control) as Captain Kadian and newcomer Nikhil Singh Rai, who underwent an extensive two-year audition process to secure the role of “The Boy.” Nitin Ganatra (EastEnders) stars as the Village Headman, while Vikram Kapadia (The Night Manager) plays a senior Kashmiri villager.
Produced by an all-women team of executive producers—Chaitra Vedullapalli, Namrata Sharma, and Swetha Pakala—The Collaborator aims to promote awareness and foster dialogue around tolerance and peace. The film was shot in the Caucasus Mountains of Georgia, a striking stand-in for Kashmir’s rugged landscape, and is a co-production involving Georgia, India, and the United States.
In addition to being an official competition entry at the San Diego International Film Festival, the feature was also selected for the Antakya Film Festival in Turkey. Executive production support came from MXW Ventures and CnR Films.
