ATK
New Delhi [India], June 24: In a remarkable display of talent and storytelling, five students from a design school in Mumbai organized a captivating film screening event at Apshinge (Military) village in Satara district of Maharashtra, that left the public spellbound. The feature-length documentary 'Chhava', produced by Worldwide Photoworks, received thunderous applause at its premiere.
The film, a labor of love by second-year design students Arman Shaikh, Anurag Srijit, Deep Kadam, Kshitij Jagdale and Azzam Khan, was created under the expert mentorship of Professor Sudeep Mehta, who also serves as executive producer. 'Chhava' takes the audience on a heart-warming journey to Apshinge (Military), a place where the spirit of service and sacrifice fills every home. For more than 400 years, from the days of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the modern Indian Armed Forces, villagers have been illustrious participants in key historical and modern conflicts, including the two world wars, the Indochina and Indo-Pak wars, and the operations of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's Azad Hind Sena.
The screening was an undeniable success and attracted a diverse crowd of more than 400 villagers, from film buffs and historians to veterans and active military personnel. The documentary was praised for its intimate portrait of military families, highlighting the personal and community resilience of those who live in the shadow of war but shine as beacons of bravery.
The audience was visibly moved by the film. "It is a moving narrative that not only educates but also deeply connects you with the unsung heroes of Apshinge. Many have visited and filmed our village, including National Geographic, some universities and media outlets, but none have captured the emotion as they did these students," said Tushar Nikam, Sarpanch of Apshinge (Military), a sentiment echoed by many others. Anand Suryavanshi, a Kargil war hero, said: "This documentary brings to light rarely heard but immensely powerful stories. It is an emotional tribute to the bravery and unbreakable spirit of us soldiers."
Vikram Ghadge, a former army instructor who now runs an academy where he trains future candidates for the Indian Armed Forces, said: "This film has not only won honors for our village in Maharashtra and India but also across the world. world and we are very grateful to the filmmakers for this."
Professor Sudeep Mehta shared his thoughts during the post-screening discussion and said, "This project was about bringing to light the untold stories of bravery and sacrifice, of the battle being fought off the field. We usually see cinemas talking about the bravery of "Our soldiers protect our nation, but their families play an equal role. We strive to show this other side of their resilience. Our students have done a magnificent job in capturing the essence of Apshinge's legacy, and the response tonight is overwhelming." The filmmakers were stunned by the response from the villagers. Anurag Srijit, one of the directors, said: "This film changed completely our perspective. We learned to tell stories in various ways as making audiences across the world understand and appreciate a regional Marathi cinema and its true emotions is a challenge.”
With its successful local debut, 'Chhava' is now set to make its mark on the world stage, starting with its New York Film Awards nomination. The film has already won numerous awards and nominations in 7 countries worldwide. This milestone marks the start of a promising journey on the film festival circuit that hopes to bring the stories of the Apshinge warriors to a global audience.
The film not only showcases the capabilities of these young filmmakers but also serves as a reminder of the personal costs of war and the undying spirit of military families. As 'Chhava' prepares to hit international screens, it carries with it the hopes and stories of countless unsung heroes, waiting to be heard and honoured. This documentary is a testament to the power of youth-led cinema and the enduring relevance of historical storytelling in understanding our present and inspiring our future.
New Delhi [India], June 24: In a remarkable display of talent and storytelling, five students from a design school in Mumbai organized a captivating film screening event at Apshinge (Military) village in Satara district of Maharashtra, that left the public spellbound. The feature-length documentary 'Chhava', produced by Worldwide Photoworks, received thunderous applause at its premiere.
The film, a labor of love by second-year design students Arman Shaikh, Anurag Srijit, Deep Kadam, Kshitij Jagdale and Azzam Khan, was created under the expert mentorship of Professor Sudeep Mehta, who also serves as executive producer. 'Chhava' takes the audience on a heart-warming journey to Apshinge (Military), a place where the spirit of service and sacrifice fills every home. For more than 400 years, from the days of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the modern Indian Armed Forces, villagers have been illustrious participants in key historical and modern conflicts, including the two world wars, the Indochina and Indo-Pak wars, and the operations of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's Azad Hind Sena.
The screening was an undeniable success and attracted a diverse crowd of more than 400 villagers, from film buffs and historians to veterans and active military personnel. The documentary was praised for its intimate portrait of military families, highlighting the personal and community resilience of those who live in the shadow of war but shine as beacons of bravery.
The audience was visibly moved by the film. "It is a moving narrative that not only educates but also deeply connects you with the unsung heroes of Apshinge. Many have visited and filmed our village, including National Geographic, some universities and media outlets, but none have captured the emotion as they did these students," said Tushar Nikam, Sarpanch of Apshinge (Military), a sentiment echoed by many others. Anand Suryavanshi, a Kargil war hero, said: "This documentary brings to light rarely heard but immensely powerful stories. It is an emotional tribute to the bravery and unbreakable spirit of us soldiers."
Vikram Ghadge, a former army instructor who now runs an academy where he trains future candidates for the Indian Armed Forces, said: "This film has not only won honors for our village in Maharashtra and India but also across the world. world and we are very grateful to the filmmakers for this."
Professor Sudeep Mehta shared his thoughts during the post-screening discussion and said, "This project was about bringing to light the untold stories of bravery and sacrifice, of the battle being fought off the field. We usually see cinemas talking about the bravery of "Our soldiers protect our nation, but their families play an equal role. We strive to show this other side of their resilience. Our students have done a magnificent job in capturing the essence of Apshinge's legacy, and the response tonight is overwhelming." The filmmakers were stunned by the response from the villagers. Anurag Srijit, one of the directors, said: "This film changed completely our perspective. We learned to tell stories in various ways as making audiences across the world understand and appreciate a regional Marathi cinema and its true emotions is a challenge.”
With its successful local debut, 'Chhava' is now set to make its mark on the world stage, starting with its New York Film Awards nomination. The film has already won numerous awards and nominations in 7 countries worldwide. This milestone marks the start of a promising journey on the film festival circuit that hopes to bring the stories of the Apshinge warriors to a global audience.
The film not only showcases the capabilities of these young filmmakers but also serves as a reminder of the personal costs of war and the undying spirit of military families. As 'Chhava' prepares to hit international screens, it carries with it the hopes and stories of countless unsung heroes, waiting to be heard and honoured. This documentary is a testament to the power of youth-led cinema and the enduring relevance of historical storytelling in understanding our present and inspiring our future.
