Award-winning film KHOONTA gets Times Square billboard spotlight

KHOONTA, an independent feature film rooted in Himalayan culture, unveiled its second official poster on a Times Square billboard on Aug. 9, 2026, after earlier premieres and award wins in Cannes, London and Kolkata. The New York event drew community leaders, celebrities and passersby, then turned into an impromptu celebration of Pahadi music and Indian culture.

Why it matters: - KHOONTA’s Times Square appearance extends an independent Indian film’s reach from regional roots to a global audience. - The billboard moment builds on festival and award recognition, giving the film more visibility ahead of its wider international push. - The event also highlighted Pahadi music and culture in one of the world’s most recognizable public spaces.

What happened: - The second official poster for KHOONTA was unveiled on a Times Square billboard on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. - The New York City event drew community leaders, celebrities, film supporters, well-wishers and members of the public. - B n H Buzz Creators organized the celebration. - TV Asia and The World Voice covered the event.

The details: - Guests turned the unveiling into a dance celebration after the release. - The crowd danced to “Budi Diwali Harul,” a Pahadi regional song from KHOONTA sung by Natti Star Ajay Chauhan. - People nearby joined in, turning the gathering into a public celebration of Pahadi music, Indian culture and independent cinema. - KHOONTA held its market premiere screening at Cannes in May 2026. - The film later won Best Foreign Feature Film at the London Independent Film Awards. - KHOONTA also received Best Indian Feature Film at the Indian Movie Awards in Kolkata, India. - The film is rooted in the Himalayan region and centers on love, loss, faith, hope and human connection. - The story also focuses on humanity’s relationship with nature and the consequences of disturbing its balance. - The film aims to introduce international audiences to Pahadi culture, traditions, music and natural beauty. - Producer Mukesh Modi said the Times Square billboard was an emotional and proud moment for the team. - Mukesh Modi also said the dancing crowd made the evening especially meaningful and said the team wants to take meaningful Indian stories, regional culture and independent cinema to audiences around the world.

Between the lines: - The Times Square unveiling was more than a promotional stop. It functioned as a cultural showcase for a regional Indian story. - The public dancing around a regional song suggests KHOONTA is being positioned not just as a film, but as a vehicle for cultural visibility. - The sequence of Cannes, London, Kolkata and New York shows a deliberate effort to build momentum across film-festival and public-facing venues.

What’s next: - KHOONTA will continue its international journey with its award momentum and Times Square exposure as part of its audience-building strategy. - The film team is continuing to promote the project through social media channels tied to KHOONTA and Mukesh Modi. - The production credits list Anushi Sharma as writer and director and Mukesh Modi as producer. - The film’s social channels include LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X.

The bottom line: - KHOONTA is using awards, festivals and a Times Square billboard to turn a regional story into an international cultural moment.