Private Project

Akuri...and a pinch of hope

Inspiration: noun in•spi•ra•tion \ˌin(t)-spə-ˈrā-shən, -(ˌ)spi-\
a force or influence that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create or be better

Inspiration could come to one in any form, at any point in one’s life. One could be at one’s lowest point, completely given up all hope and that’s when something, some experience, the most un-thought-of sources helps spawn and inspire a great idea which could change one’s life completely. A work of art, a mother feeding her baby or even a dog trying to cross the road. There are no coincidences in life. Everything happens for a reason. The person that wandered in and out of your life was there for some purpose. Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense the short periods of time people come in our lives or the outcomes from what they say or do. However sometimes, if one let’s things happen, one will definitely see the big picture thereafter.

This is a story of one such experience for a man, Sadiq Sheikh, who is at his lowest point in life because of his situation, when he comes across another man, Cyrus Irani, who is completely opposite to his character, for a few moments. Cyrus compares the process of making of his favourite dish Akuri (Spiced Scrambled Eggs made by Zoroastrian Parsis) to the philosophy of life in a very simplistic and matter-of-fact but beautiful way, amazing Sadiq at the way Cyrus makes a simple dish look so heroic. This chance meeting changes Sadiq’s outlook and approach towards life and inspires hope inside him.

Akuri…and a pinch of hope is a quintessential humane and simple narrative of how an optimistic attitude of the mind can lead to positive outcomes and circumstances in one's life.

  • Jamshid Roointon
    Director
  • Jamshid Roointon
    Writer
  • Shreyes Lowlekar
    Writer
  • Prerna Madhok
    Producer
  • Darshan Gokani
    Key Cast
    "Cyrus Irani"
  • Sushant Kandya
    Key Cast
    "Sadiq Sheikh"
  • Firdaus Mevawala
    Key Cast
    "Cafe Owner"
  • Shankh Rajyadhyaksha
    Executive Producer
  • Suresh Beesaveni
    Director of Photography
  • Shankh Rajyadhyaksha
    Film Editor
  • Shubhankar
    Music & Lyrics
  • Aneesha Thapa
    Costume Designer
  • Project Type:
    Feature, Short
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    July 31, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    9,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    English, Gujarati, Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Kolkata International Film Festival 2016
    Kolkata
    India
    India Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Delhi International Film Festival 2016
    New Delhi
    India
    Official Selection
  • Banjara International Film Festival 2016
    Madhya Pradesh
    India
    Official Selection
  • NFDC Film Bazaar 2016
    Goa
    India
  • Smita Patil International Film Festival
    Pune
    India
    Official Selection
  • India Film Project 2017
    Mumbai
    India
    Bronze Film Of the Year
  • Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival 2019
    Mumbai
    India
    December 8, 2019
    Honourable Jury Mention
Director Biography - Jamshid Roointon

An emerging new-age, award winning screenwriter-filmmaker, Jamshid has been an integral part of various feature films, Mainstream, Regional and International in different capacities,
apart from working on numerous TVC’s, Digital films, Corporate films and AV’s. A strong combination of sensitivity towards people & situations, coupled with keen observation skills, help Jamshid write and execute content which is extremely relatable and has an instant connect with the junta. Jamshid firmly believes that a filmmaker has this magic
wand that can make the audience experience a range of emotions, apart from, of course
inspiring and stimulating them. He always wanted to be in possession of that magic wand
and kept itching to be part of this medium, which he believes is one of the most powerful
mediums of communication. This itch pushed him to quit his high-paying job as a Media
Planner, and take the plunge into a career which was then considered a risk.
After gaining valuable experience in Production and Technical aspects of filmmaking over the
past 12+ years, with Internationally acclaimed and Oscar winning filmmakers and crew, he
finally took a step towards his raison d'etre, by directing his first short feature, 'akuri...and a
pinch of hope.' The film was Official Selection at numerous Film Festivals across the country
and won the Bronze Film of the Year award at the prestigious India Film Project 2017’s Best
of Digital Awards.
Buoyed by the success of his directional debut, Jamshid is ready with the script of his first
mainstream feature film, tentatively titled, 'Move On...'

Filmography
akuri...and a pinch of hope – Film Director and Screenwriter (Short Feature)
Move On... - Film Director and Screenwriter (Feature Film – Pitch Stage)
Fateh – Film Director and Screenwriter [a biopic on the winner inside you] (Feature Film -
Scripting stage)
Wada Pao!! diary of a fateen – Series Director (Web Series – Pitch Stage)
Cadbury – Film Director and Screenwriter (Scripting stage)
702 Dixit's - Creative Producer and Additional Screenwriter
Un plus Une (French Film) - Production Manager
Chhodon Kal Ki Baatein - Post-Production Head
Kashala Udyachi Baat - Post-Production Head
Jana Gana Mana - Post-Production Head
Alladin - Asst. Production Manager
Shaurya - Asst. Production Manager
Rooh-the Voice Within - Screenwriter & Associate Director (Short Feature)

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

There are no coincidences in life. Everything happens for a reason. The person that wandered in and out of your life was there for some purpose. Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense the short periods of time people come in our lives or the outcomes from what they say or do.

However, if one let’s things happen, one will definitely see the big picture thereafter. This is a story of one such experience for Sadiq Sheikh, whose chance meeting with Cyrus Irani completely and unknowingly, changes his approach towards life and inspires him.

Akuri…and a pinch of hope is a quintessential humane and simple narrative of how an optimistic
attitude of the mind can lead to positive outcomes and circumstances in one's life