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Gutli Man

In the heart of Kolkata, Jasmit Singh Arora, a Sikh businessman turned environmental activist, bridges the divide between urban consumption and rural regeneration. His mission is ambitious: to collect 200 crore gutlis (mango seeds) from the public to plant 20 crore trees.
But this is not just a story of planting, it is a story of connection. From scaling the historic rooftops of Bada Bazaar to reclaim waste seeds from traditional mango-papad makers to mobilizing schoolchildren and farmers. 'GUTLI MAN' explores how one man’s drive transforms a city's waste into a culture of conservation, proving that the solution to our climate crisis lies in the hands of the people.

  • Chandan Priyadarshi
    Director
  • Mohammad Haaris Beg
    Writer
  • Samradni Santosh Kumbharjuvekar
    Executive Producer
  • Abhinay Kumar Sah
    Cinematographer
  • Khushi Sharma
    Editor
  • Rombit Basu
    Sound Recording and Mixing
  • Jasmit Singh Arora
    Key Cast
    "Jasmit Singh Arora"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 13, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    25,800 INR
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Bengali, English, Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute
Director Biography - Chandan Priyadarshi

Chandan Kumar Priyadarshi is an emerging filmmaker and theatre artist, currently an alumnus of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, and holds an MA in Film Studies from MGAHV, Wardha. He has over five years of experience in theatre. His short films—including Chitthi, Tarzan, Muntazir, Viram, Ally, Parali, and Journey of a Student, have been screened at festivals such as Manikarnika, Amity, Kalakari, Cinelearner International, CMS Vatavaran, Lift-Off, and World Impact Film Festival, earning honorable mentions.
At SRFTI, he directed the scene work Happy Birthday Baby and the short documentary Guthli Man, inspired by the environmental mission of Jasmit Singh Arora. With a strong foundation in cinematography and a focus on socially rooted narratives, Priyadarshi’s films explore intimate human experiences that echo broader cultural and environmental truths.

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Director Statement

The inspiration for this documentary sparked the moment I met Jasmit Singh Arora, the “Gutli Man” of Kolkata. While his mission to transform discarded mango seeds into forests is extraordinary, what truly moved me was the man behind the mission. Watching him balance this vast ecological responsibility alongside the quiet duties of his family and business revealed a character rooted in deep discipline, empathy, and resilience. It forced me to reflect: what does it truly mean to live responsibly?
In making 'GUTLI MAN,' I wanted to capture the spirit of an individual who proves that real change can begin with something as simple and often overlooked as a discarded seed. At a time when environmental challenges feel overwhelming and distant, Jasmit’s story reminded me that sustainability is personal, practical, and possible.
As a filmmaker, I felt a duty parallel to his. Just as Jasmit plants saplings that will outlive us, I see this film as my own contribution to the future planting a seed of awareness and responsibility in the minds of the audience.
Through this 25-minute journey, my hope is to inspire viewers to believe that even the smallest individual action carries the promise of a greener tomorrow.
– Chandan Priyadarshi