Private Project

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.

  • Prataya Saha
    Director
    I am, Mehmood, The Golden Cage, Just Another Day, The Good Wife
  • Prataya Saha
    Writer
    I am, Mehmood, Just Another Day, The Good Wife
  • Kartikey Tripathi
    Key Cast
    Lost
  • Deboprasad Haldar
    Key Cast
    The Golden Cage, Bayish e Shrabon
  • Rohit Basfore
    Key Cast
  • Sudeb Das
    Key Cast
  • Swarnakshi Dey
    Key Cast
  • Joydeep Bhowmik
    Cinematography
  • Prasanth Ambili
    Editing and Colourist
    The Golden Cage
  • Apurv Prasanna
    Sound Design
    The Golden Cage, I am Mehmood
  • Adrian Valentine Rodrigues
    Mixing & Mastering
    The Golden Cage, I am Mehmood
  • Karthik Bhandare
    Background Score
  • Neil Chatterjee
    Graphic Designer
    The Golden Cage, I am Mehmood, The Good Wife, Slapped, The Newly Weds
  • Debkumar Banerjee
    Production Assistant
  • Karthik Bhandare
    Subtitle
  • Prataya Saha
    Producer
  • Vijaykumar Mirchandani
    Executive Producer
    Coming Out with the Help of a Time Machine
  • Poorva Bhat
    Producer
    What's the Film About?
  • Maneesh Verma
    Associate Producers
  • Anshulika Kapoor
    Associate Producer
    The Good Wife, Mein, Mehmood, The Golden Cage
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    thriller, drama, history
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 1, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    3,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Bengali, Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Prataya Saha

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.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

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.