Experiencing Interruptions?

RAFU

The film revolves around a queer man in his twenties who comes to terms with his sexuality and childhood trauma through a fictional character of a queer deity, who comes alive into the contemporary world and chooses not to be worshiped.

  • Arnav Utmani
    Director
  • Arnav Utmani
    Writer
  • Annapurna College of Film and Media
    Producer
  • Aeina
    Key Cast
    "Atman and Noor"
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Fantasy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes 52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 6, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    2,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Annapurna College of Film and Media
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Dharamshala International Film Festival 2025
    Dharamshala
    India
    October 30, 2025
    Dharamshala Premiere
    Official Selection
  • KASHISH Pride Film Festival 2025
    Mumbai
    India
    June 1, 2025
    Indian
    Best Student Short Film
Director Biography - Arnav Utmani

Arnav (he/they)
Writer, Filmmaker, Editor, Singer & Lyricist
The director of the film specializes in editing, has a deep passion for writing and telling stories and to make you watch them through his individualistic perspective. He has dabbled in various genres and forms and uses his editing skills creatively to make his work come alive on celluloid.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

With my short film Rafu, I aimed to experiment with the tone of the film and intended to make something that is interpretative and observational. The interplay of reality and fantasy is what intrigued me to tell this story with an unbiased gaze.