Anurag Kashyap-Produced Oscar-Qualifying Short ‘Incognito’ to Be Adapted Into Feature Film (EXCLUSIVE)

Indian filmmaker Ravi Muppa will adapt his Oscar-qualifying short “Incognito” into a feature-length film.

The executive producers of the short, Indian auteur Anurag Kashyap (“Kennedy”) and Ranjan Singh (“Udta Punjab”) under the Flip Films banner and Nicholas Weinstock and Divya D’Souza of Invention Studios, are reuniting to produce the feature.

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In “Incognito,” a lonely motel receptionist makes an extra buck by selling the hidden-cam videos of his unsuspecting guests on the internet. But when one such guest turns out to be a young girl at risk of being trafficked, he faces a crisis of conscience and a mission.

“Incognito” has been selected at more than 20 international film festivals, including the Oscar-qualifying Palm Springs Shortfest, Tirana and LA Shorts, and is a 2024 Oscar contender in the live action short film category, where candidates from India include “Nocturnal Burger” and “The Broken Table.”

Mumbai-based Muppa was one of the writers on hit Bollywood social comedy “Bala” (2019) and was involved in the development of “The Family Man,” one of Prime Video’s most successful Indian series. Muppa’s short film “Valu” premiered at the Oscar-qualifying Austin Film Festival. He is the founder of Campfire Studios, an IP creation and production company.

Los Angeles-based Invention Studios is headed by Weinstock (“Bridesmaids”). The company is also the producer of upcoming feature “Thelma,” which will be featured on the opening night of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Divya D’Souza (“Thunder Force”) is senior VP at Invention. She was previously at On the Day Productions, Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone’s production company.

Kashyap said: “’Incognito’ is a uniquely sharp, nervous and unflinching film, and its journey so far confirms our belief in it. We are happy to partner with Invention Studios to take this story ahead in a feature film.”

Weinstock added: “We are immensely proud and excited that film festivals across the world have recognized the excellence of Ravi’s film. ‘Incognito’ is tense, smart, wildly propulsive, and exceptionally bold – and we’re hugely excited to build it into a full-length thriller that can play on the world’s stage.”

Muppa is represented by Suchir Batra of The SB Initiative. Invention Studios is represented by Creative Artists Agency and by Aron Baumel of Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher, LLP.

Oscars voting timeline:

Dec. 14-18 – Oscars preliminary voting in nine categories with varying numbers to be shortlisted — documentary feature (15), documentary short subject (10), international feature (15), makeup and hairstyling (10), sound (10), original score (15), original song (15), animated short film (10), live action short film (10) and visual effects (10).

Dec. 21 – Oscars shortlist announced in nine categories (documentary feature, documentary short, international feature, makeup and hairstyling, sound, original score, original song, animated short film, live action short and visual effects.

Jan. 11-16, 2024 – Oscar nominations voting begins for eligible members.

Jan. 23, 2024 – 96th Oscar nominations announced.

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