Indian cinema is no stranger to unconventional stories, but a film with a cat at the heart of its narrative is certainly a rarity. Max, Min & Meowzaki, the internationally acclaimed and award-winning film presented by actor-producer Samiksha Oswal, promises to bring something refreshingly different to the big screen with a poignant story about love, loss, healing and second chances.
Swati Bhat
For Samiksha Oswal, however, bringing the unusual concept to life came with its own set of challenges. Speaking about the experience of shooting with a cat, the producer revealed that the filming process took considerably longer than a conventional production.
“Nobody has ever made a film with a cat. There are films featuring dogs, but it’s difficult to shoot with a cat,” Samiksha Oswal shared. Recalling some memorable moments from the set, she said the cat would often run away when the lights were being arranged, while at other times she would simply sleep, leaving the crew waiting patiently.
According to Samiksha, the additional time and patience required during the shoot were ultimately worth it. Despite the challenges, the team managed to create the film exactly as they had originally envisioned it.
The decision to build the story around a cat also came from a deeply personal connection with animals. Samiksha revealed that filmmaker and producer Shael Oswal is a passionate animal lover and has around a hundred stray dogs at his farmhouse. His love for animals made him particularly excited about exploring a story where a cat plays a central role.
Beyond its unusual protagonist, Max, Min & Meowzaki explores the small sacrifices people make in relationships, while addressing themes of loss, acceptance, hope and the courage to start over. The film's heartwarming trailer has already generated curiosity, offering audiences a glimpse into its emotionally rich and unconventional world.
The film features an impressive ensemble cast including Medha Shankr, Siddharth Menon, Adil Hussain, Mandira Bedi, Nasser, Nafisa Ali and Vidhatri Bandi. At its core, the film is a multigenerational emotional journey that explores how people learn to live with loss while finding new reasons to embrace life.
Max, Min & Meowzaki has already earned significant recognition on the international festival circuit. The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and was selected for the prestigious Best of Fest section at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. It has also received Audience Honours at festivals in Sonoma, San Francisco and Osaka, alongside Best Feature wins at Stuttgart, Cincinnati, Berlin's Indo-German Film Week and RIFFA in Canada.
Presented by Samiksha Oswal, the film is written and directed by Padmakumar Narasimhamurthy and produced by Shael Oswal and Samiksha Oswal under the banner of SSO Productions.
With its unusual premise, acclaimed cast and impressive international festival journey, Max, Min & Meowzaki is now set to bring its story of companionship, healing and hope to Indian audiences. The film is scheduled for an exclusive theatrical release on July 24.
