Private Project

London, Punjab

Gurdas, a young Sikh postman, discovers a letter addressed to Firoza, the Muslim girl he is enamored with. After reading the letter to Firoza and her grandmother, Nadira, Gurdas is overcome with fear for his family's safety upon learning of the tragic news. With his community at odds with Firoza's, Gurdas makes the difficult decision to leave behind his life in London and retrace his steps back to his family.

  • Ritvik Tyagi
    Director
  • Deven Ahire
    Writer
  • Annizette Jensen
    Producer
  • Abhilash M.
    Director of Photography
  • Mohit Mathur
    Key Cast
    "Gurdas"
  • Jasdeep Shallon
    Key Cast
    "Firoza"
  • Surinder Matharu
    Key Cast
    "Nadira"
  • Trevor Murphy
    Key Cast
    "Gurdas' Boss"
  • G. Abrom Henries
    First Assistant Director
  • Ritvik Tyagi
    Editor
  • Aishwarya Das
    Editor
  • Tushar Lall
    Music Composer
  • Juliette Anquetil
    Production Designer
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 17, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.33:1
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - London Film Academy
Director Biography - Ritvik Tyagi

Ritvik Tyagi is an Indian filmmaker who has honed his skills in cinematography and directing while working with clients like Universal Music, Times Group, Corning Gorilla Glass, Playing for a Change, and Red Bull Media House. In 2022, Ritvik completed his Master's in Filmmaking at the London Film Academy. Ritvik is dedicated to crafting emotionally resonant stories with visually-driven, simple, and clear storytelling.

He also has acting experience, with a notable lead role in the Indian-American feature film "Meghdoot - The Cloud Messenger" (2022), which was screened at esteemed film festivals such as BFI London Film Festival, International Film Festival of Rotterdam, and Sao Paulo International Film Festival.

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Director Statement

The existence of divisions among people extends far beyond specific identities. These divisions permeate our society as a whole, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. So, we don't have to be Indian or Pakistani or Sikh or Muslim to understand human divide. It's all around us.

When I first encountered the script for "London, Punjab," I was immediately struck by its narrow focus on the lives of three immigrants residing far away from the epicenter of the conflict. The film does not indulge in beyond surface-level depictions of external conflicts like migration, partition, and physical violence. Instead, it aims to delve deep into the internal conflict that arises when news of this external tumult reaches the characters. At its core, the film derives its power from the dynamic between two individuals who, in all likelihood, were never destined to cross paths or unite. Yet, tragedy weaves their fates together, forming the bedrock upon which their love story is likely to unfold.

My intention with this film was to capture a speck of the human spirit, its unyielding ability to seek and find beauty even in the face of adversity. Our innate desire to heal and recover from the devastating aftermath of human violence, refusing to let it define us. Within the narrative of "London, Punjab," Gurdas, initially an observer of misfortune, becomes the author of harmony and unity.