Get ready to have your perceptions challenged, because No Onions, a psychological horror film debuting at the WAVES Film Bazaar, is here to shake things up. But here’s where it gets controversial: what if the very practices we associate with purity and tradition are actually masks for deeper, darker societal issues? Writer-director Aarti Neharsh’s debut feature, originally titled Kanda, dives headfirst into this question, using the charged social landscape of Ahmedabad as its backdrop. Through the lens of psychological horror, Neharsh explores themes of purity, caste, and domestic control, forcing us to confront the invisible chains that bind individuals and communities alike.
Co-produced by Shakun Batra of Jouska Films (known for Gehraiyaan) and Dimpy Agrawal of Gubbara Entertainment (co-producer of Shadowbox, showcased at Berlinale 2025), No Onions is already making waves. Pre-selected for the Sundance Development Track and currently in late development, the film is seeking additional co-producers, financiers, and sales partners at the WAVES Film Bazaar—part of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). With partial funding secured, the team aims to move into pre-production by mid-2026. And this is the part most people miss: the film isn’t just a horror story; it’s a deeply personal reflection on the intersection of faith, culture, and identity.
At its core, No Onions follows a pregnant woman whose cravings for foods forbidden by her faith begin to disrupt the rigid order of her devout household. As her desires grow, the long-standing rules of discipline—dietary, religious, and familial—start to fracture, exposing the buried tensions within her seemingly harmonious home. Neharsh draws from her own upbringing in Ahmedabad, where she witnessed the quiet yet rigid practices of purity embedded in daily life. From friends refusing to share meals to women being isolated during menstruation, even in 'modern' homes, she recalls how the city’s obsession with purity was inextricably linked to caste and social segregation.
Here’s the bold twist: Neharsh reframes vegetarianism—often seen globally as an ethical choice—through the Indian lens of caste purity and religious discipline. No Onions is a slow-burning psychological horror that transforms the domesticity of a home into a stage for an eerie unraveling. It dares to ask: What’s more horrifying—a woman’s hunger or the oppressive order that seeks to suppress it? This isn’t just a genre film; it’s a thought-provoking exploration of deeply personal and societal issues, inspired by Neharsh’s love for Korean horrors and their ability to blend engaging storytelling with profound themes.
Neharsh’s approach is rooted in the rhythms of domestic life, making the film accessible yet unsettling. Her previous work, the short film The Song We Sang, also set in Ahmedabad, garnered critical acclaim, winning awards at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, Dharamshala International Film Festival, and earning a Special Jury Mention at the London Indian Film Festival. Alongside her feature debut, Neharsh has been directing commercials, honing her craft for this ambitious project.
Now, here’s the question for you: Is No Onions merely a horror film, or is it a mirror reflecting the uncomfortable truths of our society? Do practices of purity and tradition truly liberate us, or do they perpetuate division? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that’s as bold and thought-provoking as the film itself.
