Experiencing Interruptions?

Existence

Time gives and time takes away. Astitwa is a story of loneliness, a story of remembrance, a story of love, of life and loss. It takes us into the world of man encompassed by grief and clutching on to memories that torment him and imprison him in a world away from reality. Shabin is seen to be battling with his wife’s ailment, her loss of reason brought on by the tragic death of their child. But as the story unfolds, the darkness and reality of Sabin’s own demons take over.

  • Kallol Nandi
    Director
  • Kallol Nandi
    Writer
    Dipu Mahamud (Original Short Story)
  • Aabaha, Inc
    Producer
  • Chaitali De
    Key Cast
    "Ridi"
  • Kaushik Bardhan
    Key Cast
    "Shabin"
  • Debarati Mitra
    Key Cast
    "Buya"
  • Debatirtha Basu
    Key Cast
    "Robin"
  • Banhi Nandi
    Playback Singer
  • Rina Datta Chakravorty
    Art Director
  • Kaushik Bardhan
    Set Designer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    অস্তিত্ব (In Bengali; Pronounced as Astit-twa; means Existence in English)
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Web / New Media, Other
  • Genres:
    Drama, Stage Play, Theater
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 42 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 29, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    100 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    Bengali
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Spot Light
    Columbus, OH
    United States
    August 29, 2020
    South Asian Theater Festival
Director Biography - Kallol Nandi

Kallol Nandi is the founder and director of Aabaha, Inc, a non-profit organization registered in Georgia, USA. He is also the secretary of Atlanta Theater Workshop, Inc. He regularly acts on stages and makes films and directs theaters.

He earned a formal degree in playing guitar; at his leisure he writes stories and novels, and paints. Many of his writings and paintings have been published in several reputed printed and digital media. Some of his creative works can be found at https://kallolnandi.com/ website.

He has a Master degree in Software Engineering and a Bachelor degree in Science with Physics Major. By profession, he is a software engineer. He founded Initechs, LLC where he works as a Chief Architect.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As I am in continuous search of good stories, scripts, for theaters and films, in that process I read a short story written by Dipu Mahmud. It immediately struck in my mind for a theater and/or a film. After getting the necessary permission from the writer, I wrote the screenplay keeping the purity of the original story.

But by then activities like stage play, theater, making movies etc became almost impossible due to the COVID-19 crisis. Maintaining all restrictions and safety measures we came up with an innovative and experimental technique to make this presentation. It is something between a theater and a film; or in other words a theatrical presentation on the digital format and it meant to be distributed on-line. I strongly believe that this format will be a new trend under the new norm.