Not a Hero

The film unfolds without dramatic events, focusing on the quiet transformation of Mivan and the gentle reawakening of those around him. Eleven-year-old Mivan is sent from the city to live with his young aunt Pahi in their ancestral village. He struggles to adjust to rural life and a distant household, but slowly he goes to school, makes friends and takes part in daily routines. His quiet presence gradually prompts subtle emotional shifts in the adults, bringing out long-suppressed feelings.

As in her earlier films, Das wrote, edited, produced and directed. It is an Indian and Singaporean co-production, set between city and country and made in Assamese, Hindi and English.

Not a Hero had its world premiere in the Generation Kplus section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2026, where the Generation youth jury gave it a Special Mention in the contest for the Crystal Bear. It was shown at the Zlin Film Festival and the Zurich Film Festival's ZFF for Kids in 2026, and in the A Window on Asian Cinema section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival on 8 October 2026. The Paris-based MMM Film Sales acquired its international sales rights.

In Rima Das's filmography, Not a Hero came after Tora's Husband (2022) and Village Rockstars 2 (2024).