'Sabar Bonda' has released on the OTT giant, Netflix, on February 6, 2026. Amid the digital release, let's find out whether the story is based on a real-life incident.
Sabar Bonda, the Marathi feature film directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, is hogging the limelight for its unique storyline. Four months after the theatrical release, the award-winning feature film has now made its way to OTT. It is available for streaming on Netflix from February 6, 2026. The story of Sabar Bonda follows the life of two men who struggle hard and remain true to their identities. Amid the buzz surrounding the film, let’s find out whether it is based on a true story.
For the unversed, the film was released in India on September 19, 2025. The LGBTQ+ romantic drama won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. The feature film is inspired by director, Rohan’s personal experiences. However, the full story of Sabar Bonda is not real. In a 2025 interview with The Times of India, Rohan revealed that the basic premise of 'Anand' going to the village is autobiographical. He shared that in 2016, he went to his ancestral home to perform his father’s last rites. Rohan mentioned that he wanted to escape the rituals, the relatives and the familial pressure. He was quoted as saying:
"I wanted to escape it all. At the time, it wasn't a film idea, just a thought that stayed with me. Then, in November 2020, I started writing this film. It was like reimagining that time- so, while the basic premise of going to the village is autobiographical, 90% of the story is fiction."
The story of Sabar Bonda revolves around two men, 'Anand' (played by Bhushaan Manoj) and his childhood friend, 'Balya' (played by Suraaj Suman). Following his father’s death, 'Anand' returns to his village to perform his last rites. It is his mother and 'Balya', who know about his queerness. When he returns to the village, he meets 'Balya'. The duo gets romantically involved. While the village people wonder why 'Anand' and 'Balya' are not getting married, the two struggle hard and stay true to their identities. The duo stands firm against the societal pressures of getting married to a woman.
In a 2025 interview with TOI, director, Rohan explained the significance of the title, Sabar Bonda. For the uninitiated, Sabar Bonda is a Marathi term for 'Cactus Pears'. Rohan compared both the characters, 'Anand' and 'Balya', who face hardships including dealing with societal pressures and more, and remain true to their own identities to cactus pears. He was quoted as saying:
"Both my characters go through hardships yet remain true to their identities - just like the cactus pear, which thrives despite its challenges."
Sabar Bonda is all about a different kind of queer storytelling. While many films on this subject meet a tragic end, Rohan Parashuram Kanawade has kept it gentle and warm. He shared that although there is a death at the centre of the Marathi feature film, it is a celebration of a beautiful relationship involving queerness. He added his own experiences as a queer kid and how his parents accepted him easily. He was quoted as saying:
"When I came out to my parents, they easily accepted me. So, when I watch these queer films that are sad and question people, my experience was not the same. I am sure it is the reality for many people, but why am I not seeing the other side? So, we need to change queer storytelling, and show the other side as well. That is why I didn't want to make Sabar Bonda a sad film, even though there is a death at the centre of the film. I wanted to make a gentle, warm film - a celebration of this relationship, of s**uality."
Have you watched the film, Sabar Bonda? Let us know.
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