By admin 
The acclaimed documentary short, "Forgotten Spaceman," a poignant exploration of Afghanistan’s sole astronaut, Abdul Ahad Momand, has secured significant new executive producer backing with the additions of Khan & Kumar Media and Prism Entertainment. This strategic infusion of talent and resources comes at a pivotal moment, as the BAFTA-nominated film, directed and written by the visionary Elham Ehsas, prepares for its highly anticipated North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month, following its triumphant win of the Leopard of Tomorrow award in the International Competition at the Locarno Film Festival’s Junior Jury Awards.
The expansion of the film’s producing team sees Sharib Khan and Vikas Kumar of Khan & Kumar Media, alongside Shruti Ganguly, Priya Giri Desai, and Megha Kadakia of Prism Entertainment, stepping in as executive producers. This collaboration brings together seasoned professionals with a proven track record in championing compelling and culturally significant narratives. Their involvement underscores the growing momentum and international recognition surrounding "Forgotten Spaceman," a film that delves into a little-known yet profoundly inspiring chapter of history.
Previously, "Forgotten Spaceman" had already garnered notable support from established figures in the film industry. Jack Thomas O’Brien of Ken Loach and Rebecca O’Brien’s Sixteen Films, along with Catherine Tschaepe, were already attached as executive producers. The film’s production is spearheaded by Lorraine Bhattachary of MonoFilm Productions, with Dheeraj Agnihotri, known for his work on "Holy Curse," serving as associate producer. The intricate tapestry of global distribution and festival strategy is expertly managed by María Vera of Kino Rebelde, ensuring the film reaches a wide and diverse audience.
At its core, "Forgotten Spaceman" chronicles the extraordinary journey of Abdul Ahad Momand, Afghanistan’s first and only cosmonaut. In 1988, at a time when Afghanistan was grappling with immense political turmoil and teetering on the brink of collapse, Momand’s ascent to the Mir space station offered a rare beacon of hope and national pride. His historic orbital call to his mother, during which he became the first person to speak Pashto in space, marked a significant linguistic milestone, establishing it as the fourth language to ever echo in the cosmos. Decades later, Ehsas, through his personal connection to Momand’s narrative, unearths this forgotten story, weaving a deeply personal exploration of themes that resonate universally: the enduring concept of home, the complexities of identity, the profound impact of exile, and the innate human need for belonging.
Director Elham Ehsas expressed his profound delight in welcoming Khan & Kumar Media and Prism Entertainment to the "Forgotten Spaceman" family. "As we continue sharing Abdul Ahad Momand’s remarkable story with audiences around the world, it’s incredibly encouraging to have such passionate partners alongside us," Ehsas stated. He further articulated his aspirations for the film: "I hope the film continues to spark conversations about home, identity, exile and belonging wherever it travels." This sentiment highlights the film’s ambition to transcend geographical and cultural boundaries, fostering dialogue on deeply human experiences.
Producer Lorraine Bhattachary emphasized the critical role of a strong collaborative team in a film’s trajectory. "We’re thrilled to reach this next chapter together," Bhattachary remarked. "It’s been wonderful bringing these partnerships together, and we’re excited to continue sharing the film with audiences as its festival journey continues." Her words underscore the strategic importance of the new executive producers in amplifying the film’s reach and impact.
The team at Khan & Kumar Media shared their enthusiasm for "Forgotten Spaceman," citing its ability to reaffirm the power of storytelling. "It uncovers a remarkable chapter of history that many of us never knew existed, while remaining deeply personal and profoundly human," they stated. "Beyond the story of Afghanistan’s first astronaut, it explores universal themes of memory, identity, belonging and the stories that risk being forgotten. At Khan & Kumar Media, we’re drawn to stories that resonate across cultures and borders, and ‘Forgotten Spaceman’ does exactly that. We’re delighted to support its journey to audiences around the world." This perspective positions the film as a vital historical record and a resonant human drama.
Prism Entertainment echoed these sentiments, highlighting the film’s historical depth and emotional resonance. Ganguly, Desai, and Kadakia commented, "Elham’s movie contains volumes of Afghan, South Asian and world history while being so deeply personal and profound, forcing us to reconcile ourselves with disruptions that are beyond one’s control. We are thrilled to join ‘Forgotten Spaceman’ as executive producers as we bring this story to audiences who will reconnect with it and those who will discover it for the first time." Their statement emphasizes the film’s capacity to engage both those familiar with the historical context and those encountering it anew, fostering a deeper understanding of global events and individual resilience.
Elham Ehsas, the creative force behind "Forgotten Spaceman," boasts an impressive and rapidly growing resume. A BAFTA-nominated and Academy Award-shortlisted filmmaker, his 2024 BAFTA-nominated short, "Yellow," garnered significant critical acclaim. His subsequent short, "There Will Come Soft Rains," secured prestigious awards for best film at both the Raindance and Encounters Film Festivals. Ehsas is also developing his debut feature, "Our Kind of Love," with the support of the BFI. Beyond his directorial work, Ehsas is an accomplished actor, recently appearing in David Mackenzie’s action thriller "Fuze," and has contributed as a second unit director on the acclaimed series "The Crown," demonstrating a multifaceted talent within the filmmaking landscape.
Khan & Kumar Media, an independent Mumbai-based production house, represents a significant force in contemporary cinema. Launched by actor Vikas Kumar in conjunction with Sharib Khan’s New York-based Ammi Media, the company has a distinguished slate of productions. This includes the Venice Horizons competition premiere "Songs of Forgotten Trees," which earned Anuparna Roy the best director prize in 2025, and the highly regarded Karlovy Vary selection from this year, "The Ink-Stained Hand and the Missing Thumb." Khan & Kumar Media is set to return to Venice’s Horizons competition with their upcoming film, "Lovers in the Blue Night," further cementing their reputation for producing innovative and critically recognized cinema.
Prism Entertainment, founded by Shruti Ganguly, Priya Giri Desai, and Megha Kadakia, is dedicated to crafting character-driven narratives that span across film, television, and digital platforms. Their impressive portfolio includes the Oscar-nominated documentary "To Kill a Tiger" and Ravi Kapoor’s forthcoming feature "Patel," a collaboration with Camelback Productions. Notably, Khan & Kumar Media and Prism Entertainment have a pre-existing successful partnership, having previously joined forces as executive producers on the Oscar-qualifying short film "Holy Curse," signaling a strong creative synergy and shared commitment to impactful filmmaking. This established working relationship provides a solid foundation for their collaborative efforts on "Forgotten Spaceman."
The addition of Khan & Kumar Media and Prism Entertainment as executive producers to "Forgotten Spaceman" represents a significant endorsement of the film’s artistic merit and its potential for broad audience appeal. Their collective expertise in production, distribution, and international festival strategy is poised to enhance the film’s visibility and impact as it embarks on its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. This strategic alignment of creative vision and industry acumen promises to elevate "Forgotten Spaceman" from a critically lauded documentary short to a globally recognized cinematic event, ensuring that Abdul Ahad Momand’s remarkable story and the profound themes it explores reach audiences worldwide. The film’s journey, from its initial recognition at Locarno to its upcoming screening in Toronto, is a testament to its power to connect with audiences on an emotional and intellectual level, sparking vital conversations about history, identity, and the enduring human spirit.
