TikToker Tale ‘Deshlai’ From Director Q Secures Platoon One Distribution for 2026, Confirms Chorki Streaming Deal (EXCLUSIVE)

According To The variety Platoon One Films has come aboard as distributor and sales agent for “Deshlai” (Zewel), a film from iconoclastic Indian filmmaker Q, with plans to release the project across multiple territories beginning February 2026. The deal follows the film’s world premiere as the closing night selection at Tasveer Film Festival 2025. “Deshlai” follows a young Bangladeshi TikToker named Zewel who aspires to become a hero on the platform as a matchstick master and firestarter. His rising follower count is disrupted when his elder brother is arrested for selling drugs, forcing Zewel to flee to India and leave behind everything, including TikTok. A larger tragedy awaits him across the border. The project, from Q’s Oddjoint, first emerged at Film Bazaar, where it secured a broadcast presale with streamer Chorki in Bangladesh and Luminary Pictures came on board as principal co-producer. This year at the newly rechristened WAVES Film Bazaar, the film closed its distribution deal with Platoon One Films. Breaking from the traditional festival circuit route, the film will go directly to audiences with a waterfall theatrical release planned across Bengal, the rest of India, the U.S. and the U.K. starting February 2026. “‘Zewel’ is a film about the underbelly of Bengal, on both sides of the border,” Q said. “A fresh wave of youth has been embracing a new identity. One that defies the archaic, violent stereotype of the disenchanted poor. ‘Zewel’ is soft, humane and vulnerable. I wanted to explore the genuine shift in aesthetics that is inundating this part of the world, the K-pop mania. Most importantly, the film tries to underplay the massive identity and religious politics that the Bengal border has seen since the lines were drawn. Affecting a sense of loss, an unfiltered empathy towards the protagonist in spite of his station, religion or sense of self. ‘Zewel’ is an emotional ride, a quirky, underhand take on a massive issue of cross border migration.” Chorki CEO Redoan Rony said: “We call Chorki the capital of Bengali content – and to live up to that title, we must think and operate at scale. That’s why we’re expanding across borders. Chorki joined this project as part of that vision, driven by a desire to innovate and challenge conventions in the Bengali content industry. Productions like ‘Shaaticup,’ ‘Shaw,’ ‘Myself Allen Swapan,’ ‘Feu’ and ‘Gulmohor’ have already demonstrated this ambition, establishing Chorki as a trusted platform for Bengali-speaking audiences. Collaborating with a director like Q, whose perspective is both fresh and unconventional, is a natural extension of that journey.” Rita Meher of Luminary Pictures added: “‘Deshlai’ feels raw, urgent, and completely of this moment as Q captures the young generation authentically. We’re honored to premiere this film at Tasveer, because this is exactly the kind of fearless, boundary-pushing films I like to get involved with.” Platoon One’s “Bayaan” premiered at Toronto earlier this year and “Bindusagar” at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, of which WAVES Film Bazaar is the market component. Shiladitya Bora, founder of Platoon One Films, said: “Q has always been a fearless and inventive storyteller, and Deshlai is yet another bold leap in his cinematic journey. At Platoon One, we’re committed to championing films that defy convention and expand the language of cinema. Partnering with Q on this project aligns perfectly with our mission of taking disruptive, conversation-starting stories to audiences across the world. We’re thrilled to bring Deshlai to the global stage.” Avinaba Ghosh of Dreams on Sale said: “Independent films have always been an integral part of world cinema and is being well celebrated by Indian cinema as well and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say, in this regard Q has been a flag bearer. Through his work, he plays an even bigger role in bringing Indian cinema to the world. It was a pleasure to collaborate for ‘Deshlai’ which will not just be an entertaining experience for the audience, but also a doorway to newer avenues for Indian and Bengali cinema.”