Hong Kong screen veterans Law Kar-ying and Paw Hee-ching have been cast to lead “The Grand Tribute,” a Cantonese opera drama written and directed by Sri Kishore, the filmmaker behind 2021’s “My Indian Boyfriend.”
“My Indian Boyfriend” was billed as Hong Kong’s first mainstream romantic drama with a South Asian male lead. “The Grand Tribute” marks a shift from that contemporary intercultural romance toward a story rooted in traditional Cantonese performing arts, and is set entirely in Hong Kong.
The story follows a Cantonese opera performer in his 70s staging one final show as a farewell gesture of love for his terminally ill wife. Law Kar-ying, an accomplished Cantonese opera performer in real life, stars opposite Paw Hee-ching, whose casting anchors the film’s central relationship in lived experience of the art form.
“I am always fascinated by the love shared between elderly couples and the way they express their affection,” Sri Kishore said. “I want to capture that essence and bond between the couple, set against the backdrop of Cantonese opera, while incorporating many humorous and fun elements into the story.”
Rather than treating Cantonese opera as a fading tradition, Sri Kishore describes it as a form capable of connecting people across generations. “Cantonese opera is a universal canvas for human emotion,” he said. “This film explores intergenerational bonds, cultural celebration, and what it means to create art as an act of love. These themes transcend language and culture.”
Sri Kishore is writing, directing and producing the project. Dai Ming Tsui serves as co-producer and Nasrul Ekram as line producer. Dhiraj Gangaraju and Vamshi Sriramoju are co-executive producers, with Shiva Gorrella, Phaneendra Prasad and Satya Mantha as associate executive producers. The production banner is Sri Kishore Film Productions Limited.
The film also features a diverse, international supporting cast that mirrors Hong Kong’s multicultural makeup, alongside its Chinese lead pair. The production is aiming for a full theatrical run alongside distribution on international streaming services, with hopes of introducing the city’s artistic heritage to global audiences.
“‘The Grand Tribute’ is about legacy – about what we leave behind. Not just for our families, but for the cultures we inherit and the ones we choose to embrace,” Sri Kishore said.