The 96-minute film, which Shetgaonkar made with assistance from the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), was lauded by audiences for dealing with major dilemmas - faith, the environment and social taboos.

On the closing day of the 10-day film festival that concluded Saturday, the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) voted for it in the Discovery category.

Loosely based on Goan writer Mahabaleshwar Sail's story, the film is about a widowed forest ranger Vinayak who develops an intimate relationship with a mentally ill woman, risking becoming an outcast.