Cactus Pears: Queer Romance in Rural India Defies Stereotypes

Rohan Parashuram Kanawade's debut feature 'Cactus Pears' premieres in UK cinemas on June 19, offering a tender portrayal of same-sex desire in rural Maharashtra, India. The semi-autobiographical film follows Anand (Bhushaan Manoj), a 30-something man who returns to his ancestral village for his father's 10-day funeral rituals. Out to his parents but not extended family, he reconnects with childhood friend Balya (Suraaj Suman), sparking a tentative romance. Kanawade, who trained as an interior designer, conceived the film in 2016 and developed it through the Venice Biennale College Cinema programme. Casting took three years; Manoj was discovered via Instagram and recommended Suman. Cinematographer Vikas Urs employs static frames to capture village life, balancing affection for tradition with awareness of its limitations. The film challenges assumptions that queerness is solely Western, presenting it as naturally interwoven with rural Indian life. Kanawade interviewed gay men on Grindr during location scouting, finding many faceless profiles from remote areas. The film avoids direct conflict with conservatism, instead showing well-meaning relatives pressuring Anand to marry.