1924
Inspired by true events, in the winter of 1924 Kolkata, amidst the fervour of the Indian Nationalist Movement, an 18-year-old torn between personal convictions and the call for national duty is recruited by a seasoned freedom fighter. Tasked with a pivotal mission against the British, the boy's internal conflict escalates when he's required to prove his loyalty through the assassination of a British informant.
As the consequences of his actions unfold, the narrative intricately weaves the fate of an orphaned little girl into the tapestry of loyalty, sacrifice, and the relentless struggle for independence.
Set against the socio-political turbulence of the era, this historical drama delves into the profound choices individuals make within the complex fabric of a nation's fight for freedom and intertwines the tumultuous events of the Indian Independence Struggle with the haunting realities of children caught in conflict zones.
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Prataya SahaDirectorI am, Mehmood, The Golden Cage, Just Another Day, The Good Wife
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Prataya SahaWriterI am, Mehmood, Just Another Day, The Good Wife
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Kartikey TripathiKey CastLost
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Deboprasad HaldarKey CastThe Golden Cage, Bayish e Shrabon
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Rohit BasforeKey Cast
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Sudeb DasKey Cast
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Swarnakshi DeyKey Cast
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Joydeep BhowmikCinematography
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Prasanth AmbiliEditing and ColouristThe Golden Cage
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Apurv PrasannaSound DesignThe Golden Cage, I am Mehmood
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Adrian Valentine RodriguesMixing & MasteringThe Golden Cage, I am Mehmood
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Karthik BhandareBackground Score
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Neil ChatterjeeGraphic DesignerThe Golden Cage, I am Mehmood, The Good Wife, Slapped, The Newly Weds
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Debkumar BanerjeeProduction Assistant
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Karthik BhandareSubtitle
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Prataya SahaProducer
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Vijaykumar MirchandaniExecutive ProducerComing Out with the Help of a Time Machine
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Poorva BhatProducerWhat's the Film About?
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Maneesh VermaAssociate Producers
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Anshulika KapoorAssociate ProducerThe Good Wife, Mein, Mehmood, The Golden Cage
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Project Type:Short
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Genres:thriller, drama, history
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Runtime:4 minutes 40 seconds
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Completion Date:January 1, 2024
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Production Budget:3,500 USD
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Country of Origin:India
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Country of Filming:India
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Language:Bengali, Hindi
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:4:3
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
Prataya Saha is an independent filmmaker, TEDx performer, theatre director, and photographer based in India and Dubai. His films have been selected in over 98 film festivals worldwide, winning 28 awards across 14 countries, including at Oscar, Canadian Screen Award, and BAFTA-qualifying festivals. He is known for his distinctive voice in storytelling and a panache for working on socially relevant films, often addressing uncomfortable yet important subjects.
His latest short film, "The Golden Cage", qualified for the Oscars 2024, further establishing his reputation as a filmmaker with global impact.
Prataya has also forayed recently in the world of non-fiction as a producer. His debut documentary, "What's the Film About?", premiered at Visions du Réel in Switzerland, BFI LFF in the UK before winning at the prestigious IDFA in Amsterdam in 2024.
His work has been featured in leading media outlets such as the BBC UK, The Week, India Today, Times of India, The Hindu and The New Indian Express.
When not making films, Prataya travels with his camera, capturing everyday life as a street photographer—drawing inspiration for the characters in his stories.
Set during the Indian Independence Movement, this film is a converging point of my immense gratitude to my countrymen who sacrificed for the freedom we enjoy today and my general apathy towards war in current times that is coming at the cost of countless human lives - especially children - the most vulnerable section among the ones affected.
Additionally, I wanted to look at the movement from a multi-dimensional perspective i.e. the viewpoints of opposite sides in question, the mental traumas inflicted on innocent children (like in any catastrophic war) and the then British Administration's ability to divide the people in the country through division politics and favouritism.
This neo-noir film is treated with a lot of gentleness and subtlety, which I am hoping the audience will resonate with. I sincerely hope this effort opens up a series of much-needed conversations for a better future.