MUMBAI: Indian audiences, prepare to be enthralled! Shruti Haasan is bringing her international lead debut to home turf. The Eye, a gripping British psychological thriller directed by Daphne Schmon, will premiere in India as the opening film at the fifth Wench Film Festival. The festival, founded by Sapna Bhavnani, is India’s only dedicated platform for horror, sci-fi, and fantasy films and will run from 27 February to 2 March 2025.
The Eye follows Diana (Haasan), who embarks on a journey to a remote island where her husband, Felix (Mark Rowley), drowned. Seeking closure, she plans to scatter his ashes, but instead, she stumbles upon the eerie ‘Evil Eye’ ritual. This ancient practice offers a tantalising promise—to bring Felix back—but at a chilling cost.
Shot on location in Athens and Corfu, the film immerses viewers in Greece’s breathtaking yet ominous landscapes. Following screenings at the London Independent Film Festival and the Greek International Film Festival, The Eye has generated significant global buzz, and its India premiere is set to amplify the excitement.
Speaking ahead of the Indian premiere, Haasan expressed her enthusiasm for the project. “Psychological thrillers have always been a genre that fascinates me. To be part of a story that dives deep into human emotions, grief, and the supernatural is incredibly exciting. Besides the fact that the film has a riveting storyline and top-notch production quality, what makes this project even more special is that it was created under an all-women-led production house, which aligns with my passion for supporting women in the film industry. Furthermore, this film champions a sustainable way of filmmaking, something that the world desperately needs. If we want to continue telling our stories, we must be able to tell them in a manner that is conscious of our impact”, she said.
Schmon, the creative force behind The Eye, shared her thoughts on the film’s depth and Haasan’s performance, “The Eye is both a love letter to Corfu, the island where my family is from, and an exploration of the dark psychological impulses surrounding grief. The story demanded an actor who could embody its emotional depth and complexity, and Shruti Haasan was the perfect fit. Her ability to navigate Diana’s grief, paranoia, and resilience with such authenticity is truly remarkable. It was only an artist of Shruti’s calibre who could do justice to this role, and she has delivered a stellar performance that will leave a lasting impact.”
Beyond its haunting narrative, The Eye represents a shift towards sustainable filmmaking. Produced by Fingerprint Content, the film’s team made conscious efforts to reduce its environmental impact during production, setting a new standard for responsible filmmaking.
With its powerful performances, an intriguing storyline, and an eerie yet visually stunning setting, The Eye is poised to leave audiences spellbound. As the festival opener, it will set the tone for a celebration of boundary-pushing genre cinema at the Wench Film Festival.
