Saffron Kingdom is a poignant exploration of identity, exile, and resilience set against the backdrop of Kashmir’s decades-long turmoil. The story spans from the 1990s insurgency in Srinagar to the political upheaval of 2019, following Masrat, a woman forced to flee her homeland after her husband’s abduction. Seeking refuge in Atlanta with her young son, Rizwan, she faces the challenge of rebuilding her life while dealing with the trauma of loss and displacement.

As Masrat immerses herself in academic research to document their past, Rizwan struggles with the absence of a father he barely knew. His grief deepens when Kashmir’s autonomy is revoked, severing their last ties to home. Through their journey, Saffron Kingdom examines the intergenerational impact of conflict, the weight of memory, and the fight to preserve identity in exile.

Blending intimate personal storytelling with wider historical themes, Arfat Sheikh's film offers a thoughtful and compelling meditation on belonging, justice and the lasting scars of an unresolved past.