As it begins its second decade, the banner accelerates its global push with director-led originals, international co-productions, and a focus on cross-border theatrical storytelling.
After marking a decade of disruptive, voice-driven cinema in 2025, First Ray Films, founded by actor-filmmaker Anshuman Jha, is starting its second decade by announcing an expansive slate of six original films spanning 2026 to 2028. As the banner enters its second decade, it signals a bold next chapter, one rooted in scale, global collaboration, and uncompromising storytelling. The new announcement will be in taden of First Ray Films’ showcase at the Marché Du Film at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival in May 2026.
Founded in 2016 with Shashi Sudigala’s mona_darling, a social-media-age thriller that stood apart from mainstream conventions, First Ray Films has built a reputation over the years for backing distinctive voices over formulaic narratives. Over ten years, the company has emerged as one of the few Indian independents to consistently develop and release films across both theatrical and digital, pairing festival-facing storytelling with market access. A decade on, that philosophy remains central as the studio positions itself as a home for director-led, purposeful cinema.
The newly announced slate cuts across genres, from intimate human dramas to high-concept action, while retaining a singular creative ethos. First Ray Films’ distribution arm too has, to date, enabled its productions to secure marketing and distribution partnerships at a scale unmatched by any independent film company in India. Their last release “Lord Curzon Ki Haveli” was presented by the country’s biggest film marketing firm MAX & will be premiering on JioHotstar next month.
2026 Theatrical Releases
Om Ka Hari (Dir. Harish Vyas) – Theatrical release slated for June 2026 starring Anshuman Jha, Raghubir Yadav, Soni Razdan, Ayesha Kapur
Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business (Dir. Anshuman Jha) – Expanding the vigilante universe, set for November 2026 starring Anshuman Jha, Adil Hussain, Sarah Jane Dias
2027 Slate
Bajrangi (Dir. Parth Saurabh) – Shooting wrapped
Bhadyaa (Dir. Pramod Parashar) – In production
2028 Slate
But First, The Burning (Dir. Devashish Makhija) – International co-production with ROH Films and Lamas Productions
Dhoori (Dir. Rumana Molla)
What distinguishes First Ray Films is not just its content slate, but its intent, stories that challenge, provoke, and travel beyond borders without losing cultural specificity.At the center of this vision is Anshuman Jha, who has evolved into a curator of voices as much as a creator. In an industry often driven by scale and familiarity, Jha’s approach has consistently leaned towards risk, discovery, and authenticity.
Speaking on the milestone, Anshuman Jha said, ““The first decade was about discovering our voice. The next decade is about amplifying it, backing stories that matter, filmmakers who take risks, and cinema that can travel across borders without losing its soul. We’re not chasing trends, we’re building a space where authenticity leads. At the heart of this is also the aim to create an ecosystem for young filmmakers—one that empowers and educates them on the importance of marketing and distribution so that great stories don’t just get made, but truly reach audiences. Backing actors like Abhinav Jha and Samta Sudiksha, who bring honesty to their craft, is as important as backing the stories themselves.”
Director Devashish Makhija, whose “But First, The Burning” anchors the studio’s international ambitions, added, “What First Ray stands for in today’s scene is rare—a producer who doesn’t just pull out all stops to protect the filmmaker’s voice, but constructs wings to push it higher and further. Something increasingly difficult to find. Our collaboration is about telling a story that is stubbornly rooted, yet globally resonant.”
Director Harish Vyas (Om Ka Hari) shared, “There’s a certain fearlessness in how First Ray approaches storytelling. It’s not about fitting into a mould, but about building something original. That trust empowers filmmakers to take creative leaps.”
With a growing international footprint and collaborations spanning markets, First Ray Films is steadily positioning itself as a bridge between Indian storytelling and global cinema.
