“Dilli Dark,” a soon-to-be released film, illuminates the little-known history of African Americans in India. After appearing in the First Feature Competition at the 27th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, this comedy film is scheduled to make its premiere at the 31st New York African Film Festival, which will take place from May 8–14.
This Indian-Nigerian film, written and directed by Dibakar Das Roy, tells the narrative of Michael Okeke, a Nigerian man who experiences bigotry in India because of the color of his skin. In Delhi, Okeke navigates the intricacies of Indian society while getting his MBA and selling cocaine at night. But after purchasing a white powder in the hopes of lightening his skin, he discovers it won’t address his problems.
According to writer Eoghan Lyng, “Ohlyan steals the show with her impeccable comic timing, but the film is filled with comedic moments where everyone delivers a joke or two.” With her televised mantras and feisty manner, she seamlessly switches between a spiritual teacher and a fashion star, mesmerizing audiences. She starts a fight with a strong man in a boisterous scene, all in an attempt to get cocaine to increase the sales of her “guidance.”
Nollywood actor Samuel Abiola Robinson plays Michael Okeke in the film, which also stars Shantanu Anam, Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, and Stutee Ghosh from Bollywood.
This movie is about to be released on streaming services, and I’m excited to see how Nigerian audiences will react to India and their own nation working together to make this movie a reality.
This is not the first time Bollywood and Nollywood have worked together on a movie production. ‘Namaste Wahala’, which debuted in 2020, tells a story of family, love, romance, laughter, and tears between two lively cultures. Ruslaan Mumtaz, Ini-Dima Okojie, Sujata Segal, Ibrahim Suleiman, and Richard Mofe Damijo were among the cast members.
