Konkona Sensharma’s The Rapist receives top award at 2021 Busan Film Festival

Konkona Sensharma-led film The Rapist has been declared as the joint winner of the Kim Jiseok Award at the 26th Busan International Film Festival, which dropped its curtains on Friday. The social drama helmed by Aparna Sen premiered at the festival’s ‘A Window on Asian Cinema’ session. 

The Rapist revolves around Naina, a criminal psychology professor, who faces a humiliating sexual assault which leaves her pregnant. Along with surviving the attack and its trauma, she fights against the social prejudices and testifies, which leads to the death sentence of the rapist. 

Sen Sharma's performance in the movie is acclaimed as a ‘standout’, according to Variety. The film also features Arjun Rampal and Tanmay Dhanania in pivotal roles.

The Rapist is backed by Sameer Nair via Applause Entertainment. Nair had produced the critically acclaimed web series Scam 1992, directed by Hansal Mehta. 

The Kim Jiseok Award is handed to the best film which is an apt reflection of the contemporary standing on Asian cinema. 

The Rapist shared the award with the HBO Asia Original boxing drama Gensan Punch, helmed by Filipino filmmaker Brilliante Mendoza. 

Meanwhile, Mollywood filmmaker Sanal Kumar Sasidharan’s Manju Warrier-starrer Kayattam was also screened at the festival last year. It was also nominated for the Kim Jiseok Award then.