Private Project

JULI

Bhua, a tribal vlogger from Odisha, runs towards the railway track as a train roars past, forcing him to stop. He pulls out his cell phone and begins vlogging, sharing stories of his life with warmth, humor, and sorrow. He talks about Juli, about loss, about justice. His words are laced with pain, yet he smiles through them. But beneath his casual storytelling, an unsettling weight lingers—something unspoken, something he carries within him.

JULI challenges traditional cinematic norms by breaking the fourth wall, maintaining a single-character focus throughout, and featuring a significant one-shot scene—all achieved on a minimalist budget. The film aims to provoke contemplation on societal power dynamics, the discrimination faced by marginalized communities in Odisha, and the profound emotional impact of their experiences.

  • Rajit Chandan
    Director
  • Rajit Chandan
    Writer
  • Parth Choudhury
    Producer
  • Chandan Kumar Biswal
    Key Cast
    "Bhua"
  • Baivab Mohapatra
    Cinematography
  • Dibyaranjan Bhuyan
    Editing
  • Anand Mohan Prusty
    Sound Design & Mix
  • Ayush Bhakta
    Music
  • Dibyarnjan Bhuyan
    Art Direction
  • Arya Anupam Pradhan
    Asst Director
  • Sriprasad Sahoo
    Colorist
  • Bijay Kumar Pradhan
    VFX Artist
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 20 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 25, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    70,000 INR
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Odia
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9, 4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Absurd Film Festival

    Italy
    Best don't watch it when you're eating - Honorable Mention
  • Bengaluru International Short Film Festival - 2025
    Bengaluru
    India
    World Premier
    Official Selection
  • Yes! Let's Make a Movie International Film Festival
    Montreal
    Canada
    Best Horror Short - Honorable Mention
  • The Bay International Film Festival
    Morecambe
    United Kingdom
    Experimental Short Film - Semi Finalist
  • Mumbai Indie-Film Festival
    Mumbai
    India
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Rajit Chandan

Rajit Chandan is a passionate, self-taught screenwriter and director driven by a deep love for storytelling. Originally from an Engineering background, Rajit followed his heart's calling into filmmaking, opting for practical experience over formal film school training. His journey into cinema began with the unconventional short film "ATM CARD," which defied conventions and introduced audiences to his unique storytelling style.

With "Juli," his latest endeavor, Rajit continues to push boundaries, weaving narratives that intricately blend realism with poetic storytelling. Through his films, Rajit strives to provoke thought and evoke emotion, exploring profound themes with a keen eye for detail.

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Director Statement

Juli is a powerful narrative that delves into the heartache and quest for justice within a tribal community. Bhua, our protagonist, initially shares his anguish over his missing beloved cat in a vlog, which metaphorically represents a beloved girl—potentially his daughter or wife—whose life was brutally taken away. Against the backdrop of alarming statistics, including 54 reported incidents of gang-rape in Odisha in recent months and the troubling cases of 3,420 missing women and 8,403 missing children, where most of the victims belong to tribal communities, Juli unfolds as a profound exploration of grief and resilience. Through Bhua's narrative, Juli challenges viewers to reflect on the complexities of justice, the profound impact of violence on communities, and the desperate measures individuals may take when faced with profound loss and injustice.