Quick Facts

Full Storyline

Vivek, a 30-something pickpocket in Pune, uses seduction as a distraction, pressing against men on crowded buses to steal and satisfy his desires. Detached, he exploits others’ hunger while suppressing his own. Meeting Kartik, a soft-spoken student seeking genuine intimacy, disrupts Vivek’s control. What begins as a hunt unravels into vulnerability, as Kartik’s tenderness challenges Vivek’s transactional world. The film blends the raw eroticism of Vivek’s encounters with the quiet, messy intimacy Kartik offers. As Vivek grapples with feelings he has long suppressed, the line between hunter and hunted blurs, leaving him to confront the cost of his transactional life.

Direction & Production

Saurav Mahind brings a distinct and considered vision to Upon Starvation, shaping its drama, romance narrative with a sharp eye for authentic Hindi storytelling. Known for meticulous attention to production detail, the director has assembled a technical crew that reflects the ambition of this project — from the cinematography and production design to the editing and sound design. The visual language of Upon Starvation is expected to reflect the emotional texture of its story, using lighting, framing, and location choices to build a vivid and immersive world for the audience.

Songs & Composer

Music plays a central and irreplaceable role in Hindi cinema, and Upon Starvation is expected to feature a soundtrack that perfectly complements its drama, romance tone and emotional arc. Full album details, song titles, and composer credits will be updated as they are officially released by the production team. Fans can expect a mix of melodious and peppy tracks that reflect the spirit of the film and the cultural heartbeat of India.

Full Cast List

Upon Starvation is helmed by Saurav Mahind and produced by Film and Television Institute of India, with Dhairyasheel Pawar, Dhaniram Prajapati, Tushar Tengale, Madhurima Kamat, Mehul Phillip leading the film. Dhairyasheel Pawar headlines the cast alongside a carefully chosen supporting ensemble drawn from Bollywood's growing and versatile talent pool. Each cast member brings their unique strengths and experience to the project, creating a dynamic ensemble that promises powerful on-screen performances. The chemistry between the lead actors has been a talking point in promotional discussions, and audiences can expect nuanced, layered portrayals from every member of the cast.

Complete Cast

Key Crew

See the full crew breakdown in Quick Facts above, including director, producer, music direction, writing, cinematography, and editing credits.

Official Trailer

Box Office Collection

Release & Streaming

Upon Starvation arrives in cinemas throughout India, releasing in major centres such as Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad. The Cinema Verse strongly encourages Hindi cinema fans to experience this film on the big screen — the theatrical experience, with its immersive visuals, surround sound, and shared audience energy, brings the story of Upon Starvation to life in a way that no home viewing can replicate. Supporting Hindi films in cinemas also directly helps the Bollywood industry grow and produce more high-quality content for audiences everywhere.

Top Reasons to Watch Upon Starvation

With its promising cast, strong creative team, and a story that taps into the pulse of Hindi society, Upon Starvation has generated significant buzz and anticipation among Hindi cinema audiences. Fans of drama, romance films in particular have reason to look forward to this one, given the quality of talent assembled and the ambition of the production. Social media has been buzzing with discussions about the film's trailer, posters, and music — all of which point to a major release that could define this season for Bollywood. Box office observers are closely watching Upon Starvation as a potential standout film of the year.

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