Love in Vietnam shines at Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) 2025
Love in Vietnam, the first India-Vietnam co-production, premiered at the Da Nang Asian Film Festival 2025 to great applause.
The coastal city of Dá Nang lit up on 1 July when the world premiere of Love in Vietnam opened DANAFF III (3rd Da Nang Asian Film Festival). The gala presented in attended by crafty film stars, was located in the new Ariyana Convention Centre, located at the Furama resort complex, meters away from the blue waters of My Khe beach. Hundreds of guests, press crews, and excited fans were treated to a long red carpet welcome of the film’s talented cast and crew.
Love in Vietnam is the original full-length Indian and Vietnamese joint production, directed by Indian filmmaker Rahat Shah Kazmi and produced by Captain Rahul Bali alongside a team of supporters from India and Vietnam.
Artistic lovers in the production include Indian stars Shantanu Maheshwari, Avneet Kaur, Raj Babbar, Gulshan Grover, Farida Jalal, and Kha Ngan, a favourite in Vietnam. Kazmi described the project at the premiere as “the first step in a wonderful cinematic journey” between the two film industries.
The story is about a young Punjabi man who gets a job in Da Nang and meets a local painter whom he falls for. Their relationship takes a dramatic turn when unexpected forces from his past insert themselves into the dynamic of this delicate triangle of duty and desire.
The action takes place against the backdrop of iconic Da Nang locations, such as the fire-breathing Dragon Bridge, the tranquil Han River, and the marble mountains of Ngu Hanh Son. Early audience members at the world premiere responded positively to the vibrant colours, subtle humour, and direct narration.
Festival director Ngo Phuong Lan stated that the Love in Vietnam gala was the most-streamed opening in the festival’s three-year history. DANAFF III takes place from June 29 to July 5 and screens almost 100 Asian titles across competitive, panorama, and classics sections at four local cinemas.
All tickets are free of charge, part of the city’s initiative to develop a friendly, “cinema bridge” from Asia.
After the general release later this year, Reliance Entertainment will produce the global theatrical release. The production team has confirmed that the film will first screen in Vietnam and India and then roll out to other countries in Southeast Asia before going to major diaspora markets such as North America and the United Kingdom.
Digital rights are still being negotiated; however, they have been informed that a major global streaming platform is close to a deal with them.
The 1,800-seat auditorium erupted into a standing ovation that lasted nearly five minutes after the credits rolled. Love in Vietnam appears ready to travel much farther than Da Nang – and bring the two nations even closer together with the magic of film.
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