The film Secret of a Mountain Serpent (India, Sri Lanka, Italy | 107 mins | Hindi) is set in a remote Himalayan town during the Kargil War. It follows Barkha, a schoolteacher whose husband is away at the border. As most men leave for war, Barkha finds herself drawn to Manik Guho, a mysterious outsider whose presence unsettles the fragile rhythms of the village.

As long-suppressed desires begin to surface among the women, a local folklore resurfaces: a serpent said to dwell in a forbidden river, waiting for a promise of love long unfulfilled. Moving between myth and memory, the film unfolds as a poetic exploration of longing, intimacy, and transformation.

The screening is followed by a conversation with director Nidhi Saxena, offering insight into the film’s narrative, process, and themes.

About the Director
Nidhi Saxena is an Indian writer and filmmaker with a background in painting, sculpture, and literature. Her work explores emotional interiority, mythology, and the everyday experiences of women. Her debut feature, Sad Letters of an Imaginary Woman, premiered at the Busan International Film Festival (2024). With Secret of a Mountain Serpent, selected as a finalist project at Biennale College Cinema 2024–25, she continues to explore themes of solitude, memory, and desire. She is the founder of Forest Flower Films.

About DIFF on the Road
DIFF on the Road is an initiative by the Dharamshala International Film Festival that brings independent cinema to audiences beyond its home in Dharamshala. The programme supports wider access to diverse films while fostering exchange and collaboration within the independent film community.

While you’re here, explore KNMA’s ongoing exhibition
TYEB MEHTA Bearing Weight (with the lightness of being)