Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Unveils ‘Ladoo’ - The Marathi Movie Poster

Simran

Jun 26, 2026 - 15:07

Press Release

Shailendra Singh — National Award-Winning Filmmaker

Ladoo marks Shailendra Singh's debut as a Marathi director, capping a 25-year career in Indian cinema that has spanned 72 feature films, 12 National Awards, and a Filmfare ranking as the ‘12th Most Powerful Player in Bollywood (2009)’.

At the helm of Percept Pictures - consistently a Top 5-ranked studio - Singh produced some of the most culturally significant films of his generation: Page 3, Kanchivaram (National Award winner), India's first animation feature Hanuman, first social-cause film Phir Milenge, and first multiplex commercial films Corporate and Dor, among others.

He was also the first to release Pakistani films in India, including Khuda Kay Liye and Ramchand Pakistani.

Singh launched India's first talent management company, introduced over 300 debut artists across his productions, and holds two Limca World Records.

His recent output under the banner 'unplugged cinema by Shailendra Singh' has featured Hollywood stars Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and ballet legend Sergei Polunin.

Says Shailendra,

“I've produced 72 films. This is the first one I've directed in Marathi, and it will stay with me differently than all of them. Pradip Gogate is extraordinary - he carries an entire life in his silences. Minister Shelar's presence today and ongoing support means the world to us."

Sonia Nassery Cole — Co-Producer

Ladoo is co-produced by Sonia Nassery Cole, an Afghan-American filmmaker, human rights activist, and philanthropist, whose work has twice been entered in Oscar consideration.

Her feature The Black Tulip - shot inside war-torn Afghanistan - was Afghanistan's official submission to the 83rd Academy Awards and won Best Picture at the Boston, Beverly Hills, and Salento Film Festivals, earning the Golden Palm Award.

Her most recent film, I Am You, was Afghanistan's official submission for the 77th Golden Globe Awards.

Cole fled Afghanistan as a fifteen-year-old refugee, eventually founding the Afghanistan World Foundation and receiving the Freedom to Write Award from PEN Center USA, as well as a UN Peace Medal and a US Congressional Recognition Award.

Her films have consistently brought stories of displacement and resilience to international audiences.

Synopsis

Mumbai, India. 2025. Asia's billionaire capital. 45 days in the life of a man with nothing left to lose.

Before dawn breaks over Mumbai's glittering towers, Chandu descends into darkness - scrubbing public toilets near the train station while the city's wealthy sleep above.

A toilet cleaner living in the slums, he moves through his days unseen: a silent wave to his neighbour, whispered strategies against the rats, a co-worker named Pooja, who is the only person who notices when he doesn’t show up for work.

While the world moves on without Chandu, he watches others exist, but not truly living until he finally faces a choice he can’t avoid.

Shot in black-and-white across Mumbai, Thane, and Karjat, Ladoo is a 104-minute Marathi-language film rooted in true incidents - quiet, unsparing, and shot through with unexpected grace.

Ladoo is currently being submitted to national and international film festivals.