Tiger is an upcoming 2025 Japanese drama film written, edited, and directed by Anshul Chauhan that stars Takashi Kawaguchi in the titular role, alongside Maho Nonami, Kenzo Shirahama, and Yuya Endo. It focuses on Japan's LGBTQ+ community, with Kawaguchi portraying 35-year-old gay masseuse Taiga Katagiri. Filming took place in September 2024, with post-production completed by early 2025. The film is having its world premiere at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in the 'Visions – Asia' section on September 22, 2025.
Taiga Katagiri is a 35-year-old closeted gay masseuse living in Tokyo, Japan. After his father falls sick, his sister urges him to drop his inheritance rights by threatening him that she will reveal his closeted sexuality to others.[1][2]
Tiger's director Anshul Chauhan had wanted to make a film focused on LGBTQ+ themes and issues, having collected LGBTQ-related stories over the past three years prior to creating the film. Filming for Tiger took place in September 2024; its post-production finished by early 2025. The film's ensemble cast was announced with the start of its filming, with Takashi Kawaguchi playing the lead role alongside Maho Nonami and Yuya Endo; Kawaguchi was previously involved with Chauhan's Bad Poetry Tokyo (2018). Other actors announced include Goro Sato, Kentez Asaka, Kosei Kudo, Masato Mori, Kei Kotani, and Wataru Narita.[1]
The film was written, edited, and directed by Chauhan, produced by Mina Moteki and Michael Carrier, and had its cinematography done by Vinod Vijayasankaran. It focuses on the older LGBTQ+ community in Japan, with its protagonist being a 35-year-old gay masseuse who wants to improve his life in Tokyo. Tiger is Chauhan's fourth feature film.[1][2][3]
Release
Tiger is set to have its world premiere at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in the "Visions – Asia" section on September 22, 2025.[4][3] The film's international sales will be managed by Free Stone Production Co Ltd.[5]
↑ Choi, Young-joo (August 19, 2025). "아시아의 현재와 미래 이끌 감독의 23편, 부산서 만난다"[23 films by directors leading Asia's present and future will be presented in Busan]. Nocut News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
↑ Kim, Ji-hye (August 19, 2025). "BIFF, '비전 - 한국, 아시아' 선정작 23편 공개…독립영화의 새로운 가능성"[BIFF unveils 23 films selected for its "Vision - Korea, Asia" program, showcasing new possibilities for independent films.]. SBS Entertainment News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
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