New Delhi , June 16 : In a significant achievement for Indian documentary cinema, Piplantri: A Tale of Eco-Feminism, directed and produced by acclaimed filmmaker Suraj Kumar, has been selected for the Competition Section of the Mumbai International Film Festival , one of the most prestigious platforms for documentary, short fiction, and animation films in Asia happens after every two years.
Organized by the National Film Development Corporation under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, MIFF is widely regarded as South Asia’s oldest and largest festival dedicated to non-feature cinema. Since its inception in 1990, the festival has emerged as a premier global platform, attracting outstanding filmmakers and documentary productions from across the world. Selection to its Competition Section is considered a major milestone in the career of any filmmaker.
Suraj Kumar, Director, Piplantri: A Tale of Eco-Feminism
Against this highly competitive international backdrop, the selection of Piplantri: A Tale of Eco-Feminism is a remarkable recognition of the film’s artistic excellence, compelling storytelling, and global relevance. The documentary places the inspiring story of a small village in Rajasthan on an international stage while addressing some of the most pressing concerns of our times – climate change, environmental restoration, gender equality, and community-led development.
Set in Piplantri village of Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district, located within the world’s largest marble mining belt, the documentary chronicles an extraordinary transformation led by Padma Shri awardee Shri Shyam Sundar Paliwal. Following the tragic loss of his daughter, Paliwal initiated a unique movement in which 111 trees are planted whenever a girl child is born. Over the years, this initiative has evolved into a globally admired model of eco-feminism, combining environmental conservation with the empowerment of women and girls.
The film vividly captures how a community transformed an ecologically degraded landscape into a thriving green ecosystem. Through water conservation, afforestation, biodiversity restoration, and social participation, Piplantri has emerged as an international symbol of sustainable development. The documentary also features the reflections of Mr. Shombi Sharp, former United Nations Resident Coordinator in India and currently Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific , who shares his observations on the global significance of the Piplantri model.
Earlier, the film had its World Premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India , Goa, where it was officially selected for the prestigious Indian Panorama Section. The recognition at IFFI and now the selection in the MIFF Competition Section mark an exceptional journey for the documentary and reinforce its relevance for audiences around the world.
For filmmaker Suraj Kumar, the achievement represents another milestone in a distinguished career spanning more than 27 years. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication , New Delhi, Kumar is the founder of Johnsons-Suraj Films International , one of India’s prolific independent production houses. Over the course of his career, he has produced more than 500 documentaries, 1,500 television episodes, and numerous communication campaigns for the Government of India, the United Nations, WHO, GIZ, and several international organizations.
His acclaimed Indo-Argentine feature film Thinking of Him, based on Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to Argentina and starring Victor Banerjee, was selected as the Closing Film of IFFI 2017 and screened at major international festivals including the Dhaka International Film Festival, Kolkata International Film Festival, Asia Pacific Film Festival, Mar del Plata International Film Festival in Argentina, and the Indian Film Festival in Hungary.
Another notable work, Sri Aurobindo: The Beginning of Spiritual Journey, was released globally through Indian Missions in over 150 countries by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo.
Kumar is currently developing an international documentary project in collaboration with Poland, exploring the legacy of Maciej Nowicki, the visionary architect behind the first master plan of Chandigarh. The film seeks to revisit Nowicki’s contribution to modern urban planning and India’s architectural history.
Speaking on the occasion, Suraj Kumar said,
“The selection of Piplantri: A Tale of Eco-Feminism in the MIFF Competition Section is a tremendous honour. The story belongs to the people of Piplantri and to Shri Shyam Sundar Paliwal, whose vision demonstrates how communities can create sustainable change. At a time when the world is searching for solutions to environmental challenges, Piplantri offers hope, inspiration, and a practical model of transformation.”
The success of Piplantri: A Tale of Eco-Feminism underscores the growing global interest in stories that highlight grassroots innovation, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion. More importantly, it showcases how local initiatives from India can offer meaningful lessons to the world in addressing the challenges of climate change and sustainable development.
As the documentary continues its festival journey, it carries with it a powerful message: that true transformation begins at the community level, and that the celebration of every girl child can become a catalyst for healing both society and the environment.