On his trip to Vietnam for a film festival in collaboration with the Indian government, writer and director Rahhat Shah Kazmi fell in love with the country; an idea to base his next film there slowly took root. It was festival organiser Captain Rahul Bali — now one of his co-producers — who lent him support. Love in Vietnam, starring Shantanu Maheshwari, Avneet Kaur, Kha Ngân, and Farida Jalal, among others, eventually came through after considerable effort.

However, the film, which released in India in September, did not get enough room to spread its wings. “This is the first ever India-Vietnam collaboration,” he beams. “But the Indian release clashed with 40 other films — including Demon Slayer and Mirai — floods, and limited screens. We did not get shows in our own country. Everyone was disheartened. All our efforts felt like they were in vain.” The tide turned when South Korea embraced the film. Singer Seaya released a song inspired by the film after watching it, and the filmmaker was recently honoured with Best Asian Film and Best Director of Asia gong for Love in Vietnam at the Seoul Global Movie Awards 2025. “We wondered if the people would like the movie or if they will get up and leave mid-way because they couldn’t connect with the story and the songs in the film. But, people cried during the première. They were all so emotional. They started posting on their social media. It was a dreamlike experience. Now the film is opening in Korean theatres in the first week of January,” he smiles.