The year was 2012. Bollywood filmmaker and auteur Anurag Kashyap’s film Gangs of Wasseypur was the closing film at the prestigious New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF). And now, in 2014, the prolific filmmaker is all set to return to the festival, with his latest offering Ugly.

All of Anurag Kashyap’s films so far have had a gritty, dark undertone to them. His films are raw, real and hard-hitting, and perhaps this is why his films do so well in foreign countries. His cinema is diametrically opposite to the typical “fluff”, or masala potboilers churned out by Bollywood, year on year.

This year, Kashyap will bring his sensational tale of deceit, corruption, and systemic violence to the NYIFF, in the form of Ugly. The film is the tale of the mysterious disappearance of an aspiring actor’s young daughter, and the journey he undertakes to retrieve her.

Interestingly, the NYIFF is in its 14th year of existence. Said festival director and noted film critic in the U.S. Aseem Chhabra, “We are thrilled to be opening this year’s New York Indian Film Festival with Anurag Kashyap’s new film Ugly. Anurag has been in the forefront of India’s growing indie films movement, always pushing the boundaries and inspiring the new generation of filmmakers. Personally I am a big fan of his films.”

Along with the screening, the filmmaker will be seen at a post-screening conversation, which will be followed by the opening night gala event, with celebrated IAAC supporters and other filmmakers in attendance.

Along with Ugly, Aparna Sen’s latest film Goynar Baksho will also be screened. In fact, her film will close the prestigious festival, which will take place between 5-10 May this year, at various iconic New York City venues.