Actress-filmmaker Kankana Chakraborty gets ready to direct her first feature film, featuring two-time National Award winners Sarika
and Kanwaljit Singh
Storytelling is the driving force behind Kankana Chakraborty’s creative journey. A graduate of the New York Film Academy, the actress and filmmaker is steadily carving a unique niche in the entertainment industry through her compelling work both in front of and behind the camera.
The actress -filmmaker kicks-off filming the project “The Family I Chose” an emotional drama from 12 November
2026 in Gangtok.
The film is a sensitive, restrained drama about belonging, inherited grief, and chosen families. It revolves around a lonely older man and a street-smart girl who find an unexpected family in each other, until their past returns to test their bond. Notedly, “The Family I Chose” is a landmark project as the first Indian indie feature film to be shot entirely in Gangtok, Sikkim, with the city serving as an emotional character in the narrative. The cast also features young local talents Aaradhya Rai Adlin Rai and Ismarika Gurung to add regional authenticity.
Why Kankana chose Gangtok for filming the project: As per the
actress-filmmaker, because the mountains have always grounded her.
Gangtok is not just a backdrop,but, a living character in the story. This is also her way of giving back to Gangtok a place that has always made her feel like she belongs. All her projects are personal, but, “The Family I Chose” is
‘Special’. Kankana feels glad this is her
‘First Feature’. In many ways this film is her ‘visual’poetry.
Why Kanwaljit and Sarika decided to associate with Kankana in her project:
*Kanwaljit Singh:
“Before having read the script first thing that made me want to meet Kankana and listen to the plot was the fact that she knew so much about me and genuinely saw me in the character
Arun. Secondly, I found the script intriguing and sensitively presented. Thirdly , when I met her in person her quiet passion and enthusiasm were touching and rubbed off on me. Thank you dear Director for having me on board.
*Sarika “The concept resonates with the times we live in, especially in metro cities, hence the film offers the opportunity to look around and pickup nuances.
‘The family I chose’ is not just the title and the subject of the film but a reality of our times that needs to be explored creatively.
I love Kankana’s vision as a director and how she has written it. Full of emotional interactions that are real and not contrived- a perfect stage set for actors to get invested comfortably. Kankana’s approach and understanding makes me believe that hopefully we will make a film the audience takes with them home, beyond the viewing.”
Kankana recently made her Hindi feature film acting debut in Rajat Kapoor’s “Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa”. The Family I Chose marks her debut directing an independent feature film.
Notedly, “The Family I Chose” is a fully Kankana Chakraborty’s self-financed film.
News Edit KV Raman
