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Mehroon

In Mehroon, a Trans-woman, seemingly isolated yet far from lonely, navigates the delicate balance between her identity and the pressures thrust upon her in the wake of her father’s passing. Confronted with a will that enforces her estrangement from her true self, and determined to break free from its oppressive force, Mehroon embarks on a journey of self-discovery and liberation; while grappling with and navigating the expectations of society and family.

  • Abu Sohel Khondekar
    Director
  • Abu Sohel Khondekar
    Writer
  • Neeraj Churi
    Producer
    Sisak, Sheer Qorma, Holy Curse, My Mother's Girlfriend
  • Sridhar Rangayan
    Producer
    Gulabi Aaina, Malwa Kushan, Taps, My Mother's Girlfriend, Kuch Sapney Apne
  • Saagar Gupta
    Producer
    Malwa Kushan, Taps, My Mother's Girlfriend, Kuch Sapney Apne
  • Tanushree Chakraborty
    Key Cast
    "Mehroon"
  • Ralph David
    Key Cast
    "Young Mehroon"
  • Adrij Basu
    Key Cast
    "Courier Boy"
  • Jamshed Alam
    Key Cast
    "Mehroon's Father"
  • Zena Sagar
    Executive Producer
    Tara
  • Rusha Bose
    Cinematographer
    Devi Aur Hero, Homecoming, Bob Biswas, Goni, The Village Raga
  • Nikhil Mehrortra
    Assistant Camera
  • Pawan Kamble
    Editor
  • Amir Mondal
    Colourist
  • Avani RashI
    Sound Recordist
  • Saptak Sarkar
    Sound Design
  • Keerthan Berny
    Music
  • Anurag Paul
    Poster & Illustrations
  • Durbar De
    Assistant Director
  • Bhaskar Sen
    Make-up and Hair
  • Husnaa Lakdawala
    Production Assistants
  • Adrij Basu
    Production Assistants
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    April 29, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    253,000 INR
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Bengali
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024
    Mumbai, Maharashtra
    India
    May 19, 2024
    Indian Premiere
    Riyad Wadia Award for Best Emerging Indian Filmmaker - Special Mention
  • Reel Desires: Chennai International Queer Film Festival 2024
    Chennai, Tamil Nadu
    India
    August 16, 2024
  • The Bangalore Queer Film Festival 2024
    Bangalore, Karnataka
    India
    August 23, 2024
  • 100% Manusia Film Festival 2024
    Jakarta, Java
    Indonesia
    August 31, 2024
    Asian Premiere
  • Tasveer Film Festival & Market 2024
    Seattle, Washington State
    United States
    October 19, 2024
    North American Premiere
Distribution Information
  • Solaris Pictures
    Distributor
    Country: India
    Rights: All Rights, Theatrical, Video / Disc
Director Biography - Abu Sohel Khondekar

Abu Sohel Khondekar is a filmmaker, writer, and advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights. As a Neurodivergent, Non-binary Trans person, Abu uses cinema to explore themes of resilience, identity, and social justice. A graduate of Jadavpur University with a Master’s in Film Studies, they draw on leftist ideologies and a deep-seated commitment to challenging societal norms through storytelling.

Their recent short film, Mehroon, has gained critical acclaim, most notably earning a Special Mention for the Riyad Wadia Award for Best Emerging Indian Filmmaker at the prestigious KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2024. Mehroon was also showcased at the 2024 Tasveer Film Festival & Market, the only Oscar®-qualifying South Asian film festival, further establishing Abu as a voice to watch out for in contemporary South Asian cinema.

In addition to filmmaking, Abu's work extends into documentary photography, where they capture raw and powerful moments that echo their cinematic vision. Dedicated to exploring the intersection of personal and political, Abu continues to create films; aiming to inspire empathy and transformation through visual narratives.

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Director Statement

For Mehroon, I aimed to craft a story rooted in profound isolation but steeped in resilience. This film centers on a Trans-woman, whose journey unfolds not through words but through a powerful visual narrative. She may be isolated from the world around her, but she is far from lonely. Her story is a testament to the quiet strength that comes from self-acceptance and a deep inner life, even in the face of societal alienation.

The absence of dialogue in Mehroon was an intentional choice. I wanted the visuals to carry the weight of her experiences, using silence to amplify her isolation and draw the viewer into her inner world. It also allowed us to explore themes of identity and solitude in a raw, unfiltered manner, encouraging the audience to focus on her expressions, her movements, and the subtle interactions she has with her surroundings.

Creating Mehroon was both a personal and creative challenge. Working with limited resources, I had to rely on everything I’ve learned in cinema to bring this story to life, making each shot intentional and each frame a piece of the protagonist's unspoken narrative. In this sense, Mehroon is a tribute to Cinema, and the strength found in solitude and the beauty of a life lived authentically, even if that life is at odds with the world outside.

I am deeply grateful to my Producers Neeraj Churi, Sridhar Rangayan, Saagar Gupta, my Cinematographer Rusha Bose and my Executive Producer Zena Saagar for their support, as well as to the entire cast and crew who brought this vision to life. Their dedication and understanding of the film’s delicate themes have allowed Mehroon to become not just a film, but a meaningful journey of self-hood, resilience, and quiet defiance.