Sahela + Impasse (Short)

Sahela

Director: Raghuvir Joshi

Cast: Anula Navlekar, Antonio Aakeel, Harish Patel, Sheeba Chaddha, Vipin Sharma, Nicholas Brown

Language: English/ Gujarati

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes

Year Of The Film: 2023

Synopsis:

Sahela (Companion) tells the story of Vir Oza and Nitya Behl, an Indian-Australian couple grappling with Vir's recently discovered gay identity in suburban Sydney. As they navigate traditional expectations and modern norms, the pressures of family, finances, and Nitya's dreams for their future add to their struggles. Seeking escape, Vir explores his sexuality, while Nitya turns a blind eye. When Vir is arrested for obscene exposure, the couple is forced to confront the reality of their situation. The revelation of Vir's secret causes turmoil within their tight-knit community, shattering friendships and cultural foundations. Amidst the chaos, Vir and Nitya question their love and friendship, and whether they can survive without each other in a world that seems intent on tearing them apart.

Director: Raghuvir Joshi

Raghvir Joshi embarked on his filmmaking journey by studying directing in Mumbai, India's cinematic epicenter. Following his studies, he built a successful career, contributing to critically acclaimed international films such as "The Man Who Knew Infinity," "Hotel Mumbai," and "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Raghvir honed his skills working alongside renowned actors Judi Dench and Dev Patel as their assistant, gaining valuable insights into the art of filmmaking. In addition to his directing prowess, Raghvir showcased his versatility by co-producing the film "Monkey Man." With a growing list of accomplishments, Raghvir Joshi continues to captivate audiences and solidify his reputation as a talented force in the world of cinema

Impasse

Director: Tuhin Basu

Cast: Aditya Ravi, Shlesha Shastry, Manohar Iyer

Language: Hindi, Tamil

Length: 23 minutes 48 seconds

Year Of The Film: 2021

Premiere status:

Indo French International Film FestivalChennai, Tami Nadu, India

March 11, 2022

Indian Premiere

Best Student Short Film & Critics Choice Award

International Film Festival of South Asia TorontoToronto, Canada

August 14, 2022, North American Premiere, Official Selection

Synopsis:

A dutifully married but closeted gay rickshaw driver in Mumbai is confronted by the duality of his life when he is forced to have a second child and move back to his village.

Director: Tuhin Basu

Tuhin Basu is a storyteller of South Asian descent, passionate about narratives that are personal but also rooted in generational and cultural traumas. His feature screenplay Scorched was a Finalist at WeScreenplay Diverse Voices Lab 2023 and Second Rounder at Austin Film Festival 2022. He has also worked in the Hindi film industry in Mumbai, India in various roles in the direction department for films, web series and ad films. He has also written and directed short films that went onto various film festivals across the globe, including the International Film Festival of South Asia, Toronto, Independent Shorts Awards, Los Angeles, and Mumbai Film Festival to name a few. His latest work as Assistant Director was for an upcoming Netflix series produced by Tiger Baby Films, Mumbai. A recent screenwriting alumnus of UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television, Tuhin currently works as a writing assistant on a scripted series.

Host or Publisher Indo-American Arts Council