Second World Country

What lengths will Hamzah go to, so he can protect his sister Malaika back from the clutches of the Social Services? After being abandoned by their father, a teenage boy Hamzah struggles to take care of himself and his younger sister. His mother is depressed, unable to cope and struggling with alcoholism. The social services are alerted, and they keep her on strong antidepressants which are not helping. The pressure is building on Hamzah as he tries to maintain a normal-looking household, to keep the social services from taking his younger sister to foster care. Will he succeed or will Vanessa (social service carer) take Malaika away?

Directed by Usha Sharma, Second World Country leans on a strong ensemble — Danish Latif, Ruchika Jain, Rita Sigmond — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2022.