The MIFF jury citation said "A strong and powerful film that gives us a fresh perspective in combating India's crisis on gender inequality with a clear potential for impacting social change".

While shedding light on these prevalent issues, the film focuses on ordinary men from patriarchal rural India who have emerged as gender rights heroes.

[11][2] The documentary features Jitender Chattar, a farmer who in a traditional marriage arranged by parents defies society by marrying Kusam, who was gang-raped by 8 men.

[12] The film also follows Sunil Jaglan, a village chief, and father of two daughters, who is fighting for the inclusion of women in the male-dominated areas of local governance despite detractors filing false lawsuits against him.

[13] Also featured in the documentary is Baljit Singh, the Chief of the largest and most influential rural clan in India who is daring to challenge, the age-old tradition of male dominance, at the cost of his own authority and popularity.

In the process, Vibha Bakshi and her team identified and followed the legal, and societal battles of Kusam, a gang rape survivor, and her husband in their fight for justice.

[20] the Diplomatic Corps in Delhi - comprising Ambassadors and High Commissioners of 15 Missions - screened Son Rise and pledged their support for gender equality.

The screening was followed by a call of action by 50 countries who pledged for gender equality - led by United Nations, New Zealand, India and the Women's Pavilion at Expo 2020.