Teaser of Marathi film Dharau out; director says it won best debut feature at Peshawar festival

The official teaser of the Marathi film 'Dharau' has been released. The film was already being talked about for its tagline, 'Dharau... she is not a cow... she is a mother!'. The teaser offers glimpses of rural Maharashtra, Indian culture and reverence for the cow as mother. It particularly highlights the emotional bond between a small child and a cow, which has added to public curiosity about the film.

Director Manish Suresh Shinde claims that 'Dharau' has so far received 26 national and international awards. He said the film won the 'Best Debut Feature Film' award at the Peshawar International Film Festival in Pakistan. Shinde said the honour suggests that the film's subject has been noticed at the international level too.

This is Manish Suresh Shinde's first Marathi film. The various national and international awards have given the film's journey significance. He has himself handled the story, screenplay, dialogue and direction.

Explaining the thinking behind the film, Shinde said everyone works in their own way to protect and promote the cow. Some run a gaushala and rear cows, while others spread awareness among people through different mediums. According to him, the film is his attempt to speak on this very subject.

Shinde also said he has tried to put into 'Dharau' the feeling and thinking behind why the cow is given the status of mother in Hinduism and why she is considered worthy of worship. Expressing happiness over the awards the film has received, he said he hoped the thinking behind the film would reach audiences.

The teaser shows the atmosphere of rural Maharashtra, a backdrop of religious places and glimpses of a childhood spent with a cow. The film explores reverence for the cow, humanity, rural culture and emotional bonds. The tagline 'Dharau... she is not a cow... she is a mother!' puts forward the depth of this relationship.

The teaser's visuals have created curiosity about the story. Viewers want to know how these aspects of faith and humanity in village life will be shown on the big screen.

'Dharau' has been produced by Shri Radheshyamji Chandak (Bhaiji), Dr Shri Sukeshji Zanwar and Shrimati Komalji Zanwar under the presentation of Buldhana Urban Media House and Hindchitra Films.

'Dharau' will be released in theatres in Maharashtra from October 23, 2026. The teaser's arrival has also set off discussion of the awards the film has won, and audiences are now waiting for its release.