The Last Color

The Last Color is a is an Indian feature film written, produced and directed by Indian-American Chef Vikas Khanna. The film addresses an age old taboo surrounding widows in Vrindavan and Varanasi in India. It deals with how a 9-year old tightrope walker befriends one such widow and promises to add color to her life. The film is adapted from Khanna's own book 'The Last Color' published by Bloomsbury Publishing.

Cast

 * Neena Gupta as Noor
 * Aqsa Siddiqui as Chhoti
 * Rajeswar Khanna as Chintu
 * Aslam Shekh as Raja

Plot
The story takes place in the city of Varanasi, India where Chhoti, a nine-year-old tightrope walker and flower seller, dreams of saving 300 rupees ($ 4), so that she can attend school. She faces a daily struggle for survival along with her best friend Chintu.

Chhoti befriends Noor, a white-clad widow who suffers a life of total abstinence and is disallowed from taking part in any festivities, especially Holi, the Indian festival of colors. Over time, Choti and Noor's friendship and uplifting spiritual bond breaks through the barriers of the caste system.

Noor encourages the brave little girl to face life by "flying high" with courage, education, and dignity. She shares her fondest, but closely kept childhood memories of playing with colors. Chhoti promises Noor that, this Holi, she will finally splash Noor with her favorite pink color. But on Holi's eve, Noor passes away, and during a sweep, Chhoti is imprisoned by the corrupt police, led by the violent and bullying Raja. Will Chhoti be able to keep her promise?

Twenty-four years later, Chhoti becomes an advocate and fights for the societal reforms that will bring about the rehabilitation of both street children and widows.

The Last Color is a story of promises kept and promises broken, a friendship that knows no bounds, and the freedom and victory of the human spirit.

Location
This film is shot in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh of India.

Screenings

 * Premiered at the 30th Palm Springs International Film Festival, USA on 4th Jan 2019.


 * 13th Dallas International Film Festival
 * Indie Meme Film Festival.


 * 2019 Atlanta Film Festival.
 * Closing night film at the New York Indian Film Festival.