Private Project

Amerika

Amerika is a story of an underprivileged youth who decides to take matters into his own hands and fulfil his dream of going to America no matter at what gory cost.

  • Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat
    Director
  • Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat
    Writer
  • Dalpat Singh Shekhawat
    Producer
  • Ujjaval Kanwar
    Producer
  • Soumya Parashar
    Director of Photography
  • Sujal Rajput
    Key Cast
    "Om "
  • Altaf Khan
    Key Cast
    "Baba"
    Dug Dug
  • Ronit Gupta
    Key Cast
    "Policeman"
  • Shalini Khandelwal
    Key Cast
    "Lady at the Bank"
  • Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat
    Editor
  • Ishan Kocchar
    Sound Designer
  • Shubhank Chaube
    Sound Designer
  • Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Dark Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    38 minutes 34 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 31, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat

Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat, born in 1998 in the small village of Gurha Kesar Singh in Rajasthan, India, was exposed to diverse cultures and stories throughout his formative years as his family moved to more than five different cities across the country. From a young age, he had a deep passion for cinema and immersed himself in all kinds of films. He also admired film critic Pauline Kael for teaching him how to watch films. He expanded his cinematic horizons by reading about films and discovering filmmakers from around the world.

In 2016, Yuvraj moved to Mumbai to pursue his dream of becoming a filmmaker, and he enrolled in the Tata Institute of Social Science to study filmmaking. After graduating in 2020, he began working on his debut film, "Amerika," which he wrote, directed, edited, and composed the score for. The film was heavily influenced by his early years in his village and the western films that captured his imagination. His next project, "Hatya Ki Kahani" (Story of Murder), is currently in production and was filmed in a remote village in Rajasthan.

Yuvraj's diverse upbringing and passion for cinema have informed his unique vision as a filmmaker, and he is dedicated to telling stories that reflect the rich and complex tapestry of the world around us. He currently resides in Jaipur, India, and is eager to continue pursuing his creative vision.

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Director Statement

Mark Twain once said, "The most interesting information comes from children, for they tell all they know and then stop." This quote captures the essence of my debut film, which explores the inner workings of a young boy's mind as he dreams of robbing banks and hijacking planes. Is he a criminal who should be punished or a bird in a cage who must break free?

As a teenager, I was drawn to American films that explored unconventional ideas and celebrated individuality, like Taxi Driver, Pulp Fiction, The Godfather, and A Clockwork Orange. These films felt fresh and new to me, and I spent countless hours at a local cyber cafe watching them.

This film is a love letter to the young me and all the boys like me who are hungry for stories that push the boundaries of convention. Shot guerrilla-style on a shoestring budget, the film's aesthetic reflects the harsh constraints of the real world that the young protagonist faces. Through his eyes, we enter a dream world where everything goes as he wants, but ultimately we see what it is that makes his heart finally melt.

I am proud of the film we have created and hope it will resonate with audiences who crave films that challenge their perceptions and celebrate the complexity of the human spirit.