Private Project

Ketaki

The sky in Mumbai painted its last shades as the bustling city came to a halt. Ava, a 22-year-old with a gloomy soul, returned from shopping, burdened with tasks. She carried a soft spot for Harry, her neighbour, hoping for a moment of happiness. But Harry rushed past, sweat-drenched and preoccupied, ignoring her presence.

Disappointed, Ava retreated to her apartment, sipping tea and indulging in fantasies of Harry. Unbeknownst to her, Harry's apartment held a dark secret. He revealed stolen cash from a duffle bag—a result of his involvement in a bank robbery.

Just as Harry savored the sight of the cash, Aaron arrived at his door, demanding the money at gunpoint. In a panic, Harry fired two shots, killing Aaron. The gunshots shocked Ava, leading her to discover the grim scene and witness a transformed Harry.

Harry confessed his reasons, stirring Ava's sympathy. She insisted on accompanying him, confessing her love and determination. Eventually, Harry accepted her unwavering commitment.

Together, they found solace in their shared experience as they cleaned up and buried Aaron's body, symbolizing their resolve to leave the past behind. Harry decided to turn himself in, entrusting Ava with the keys to his house and instructing her to pack.

Anxious, Ava awaited Harry's return with money and her bag, ready for their journey. But her past resurfaced in the form of George, responsible for her downfall. Flashbacks flooded Ava's mind, reminding her of George's imprisonment. Tension escalated, culminating in another gunshot.

In shock, Ava struggled to explain while Harry, devastated by his brother's loss and shattered dreams, composed himself. Tearfully, he concealed a gun, signalling the danger they faced. As they drove away, Ava remained oblivious. The haunting melody of the title song "BEHRI DUNIYA" plays in the background, captivating the audience as the screen faded out.

  • Sushant Purushottam Hadkar
    Director
  • Shivani Ramteke
    Writer
  • Ramesh Arreja
    Writer
  • Sushant Purushottam Hadkar
    Producer
  • Vardhan Kamble
    Producer
  • Balaji Shetty
    Producer
  • Shlok Korgaonkar
    Producer
  • Ramsha Farooqui
    Key Cast
    "Ava"
  • Balaji Shetty
    Key Cast
    "Harry"
  • Vardhan Kamble
    Key Cast
    "Aaron"
  • Sushant Hadkar
    Key Cast
    "George"
  • Ajinkya Vaidya
    Director of Photography
  • Shlok Korgaonkar
    Editor
  • R Bharan
    Sound Design
  • Amey Wadibhasme
    Sound Mixing and Mastering
  • Atul Kumar
    Lyricist
  • Dhruv Behl
    DI Colorist
  • Hariom Maurya
    Visual Effects Production
  • Sushant Hadkar
    Visual Effects Production
  • Vaishnavi Talgaonkar
    Digital Painting
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Thriller, Suspense
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 19 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 30, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    800 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    English, Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Sushant Purushottam Hadkar

Sushant Hadkar is a filmmaker whose passion for storytelling and curiosity in the world of cinema has shaped his remarkable journey. In 2021, Sushant completed his Diploma in 3D Animation and VFX, providing him with a solid foundation in the technical aspects of filmmaking. However, his thirst for knowledge extended beyond education.

Driven by a desire to understand the industry's intricate workings, Sushant delved into the pre-to-post-production pipeline. For his college project, he crafted a captivating 3D animated short film and a breathtaking hyperrealistic VFX shot, earning high acclaim from professors.

In his pursuit of cinematic excellence, Sushant leaped into directing, producing, and editing a two-minute short film. Collaborating with talented actors and fellow film students, he transformed the script provided by South African writer Barry John Terbelanche into a mesmerizing visual experience. The overwhelming response ignited Sushant's determination to create a full-fledged production.

With an independent film budget and an unrelenting spirit, Sushant assembled a team from scratch, connecting with the vibrant film community across India. This led to "Ketaki," a visionary short film that stands as a crowning achievement in Sushant's budding career as a filmmaker.

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Director Statement

Ketaki is a deeply personal and transformative project, marking my first venture into independent filmmaking with a substantial budget. Collaborating with my friends Vardhan and Balaji, we embarked on a journey of determination and creativity. Our initial encounter was serendipitous when I discovered Vardhan's aspirations at FTII Pune through an Instagram story. With Balaji joining our team, we created our first zero-budget short film, which received an overwhelming response and fueled our desire for higher production value.

Raising capital became our primary concern, leading us to take on salaried jobs for six months. While we planned a budget of 40,000 INR, the practicalities differed from our projections. Humbly, I approached my father for financial assistance, intending to repay him later. Witnessing our dedication, he insisted on wholeheartedly supporting us. With a talented cast and crew from across India, we overcame challenges during the production process, aided by the unwavering support of my family and the generosity of my uncle and Nani.

Inspired by Sir David Fincher's directing style, Ketaki explores dark subject matter, employing colours symbolically and careful camera work to convey themes of deception and manipulation. Leveraging my background in VFX and post-production, I enhanced various elements, collaborating with industry professionals for exceptional music and sound design. However, tragedy struck as my father passed away before I could share my directorial debut with him or repay his investment.

After a three-month hiatus, I recommit myself to becoming one of the greatest filmmakers. Ketaki represents a pivotal first step in my career, despite acknowledging that it may not be my best work. Holding my father's pinky finger, symbolizing unwavering support, I embark on this journey, knowing he will be with me through life's trials and triumphs.