Private Project

Spiral - Lost in Lockdown

Shot during the lockdown with nothing but a mobile phone the story captures an unfortunate spiralling down of a young girl stuck in an apartment during the "Covid-19, Lockdown" in Mumbai, India , 2020. Aashna (protagonist) who already struggles with anxiety and depression experiences a number of relatable but unfortunate events, which leads her into a downward spiral, causing her to lose hope and ask herself the universal question "Why am I even living?".

  • Kush Gupta
    Director
  • Kush Gupta
    Writer
  • Nikhita Chopra
    Writer
  • Kush Gupta
    Producer
  • Prince Mishra
    Producer
  • Nikhita Chopra
    Key Cast
    "Aashna"
  • Tejas Ravishankar
    Key Cast
    "Tejas"
  • Sanjeev Khanna
    Key Cast
  • Yojna Khanna
    Key Cast
  • Kush Gupta
    Cinematographer
  • Veer Pandya
    Original Score
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    39 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 22, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    0 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:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Kush Gupta

I have been working in the entertainment industry for over 13 years; from the age of 16, I have explored and am competent in all facets of film making because I believe that in order to be a great Film Maker you must understand all parts of the process. In summary, I have been a Choreographer (Instructor & Teacher for over 8 years + Choreographed for Film, Stage Musicals, Music Videos, TV and Ads). Worked as a Producer (Started own production company in Australia & produced 2 of Australia’s biggest Musicals + worked at PriceWaterhouseCoopers Australia Corporate environment for 5+ years as a Senior Consultant).  As an Actor; (Hosted and Acted in a webseries for 2 season called MBTV, Cameo Acting roles for numerous short films, TV & TV Commercials + Nominated as Best Actor for the stage Musical My One and Only). As a Cinematographer; (Completed Basics of Cinematography at the University + Shot upwards of 3 short films, 15+ dance based music videos, 5 + Music Videos). Edited (Over 30+ Dance based Social Media Music Videos, Short Films, Promo’s, Corporate Films)
Then broadened my horizons with the realm as a Writer; (Completed Screenwriting course with Aaron Sorkins + Written over 5 registered screenplays for web & Film, Written Copy for over 5+ TVC’s for brands such as Oppo, Realme, Asics, Colour OS + Script Doctoring for over 5 feature films.). Lastly and most importantly, my key focus and area of expertise is in Direction, with goals of making 'game changing' International feature films. (Directed 5+ Commercials, Music Videos, Promotional Campaign Videos + Associate Director and Chief AD for commercial Mainstream feature films such as Sarbjit, Bhoomi, Wonderland, Prasthanam, Ave Maria). 

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Director Statement

After 13 years, Spiral for me is a film which will always be closest to my heart. Stranded in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic, locked in an apartment for over 4 months with no work, no outlet, no contact with the outside world. I only heard and could empathise with those friends and acquaintances who had suffered and taken their lives during the lockdown. With Suicide at an all time high and mental health at an all time low; I wanted to showcase a real and relatble story inspired by true events. Personally suffering from bouts of anxiety, this topic became all the more personal and I felt that it had to be shared. I along with Nikhita Chopra took it upon ourselves to write, shoot, direct, act, edit, and complete this short film from start to end with a zero budget and nothing but a mobile phone. Our aim was to make others in the world feel like they are not alone in these dark and uncertain times; and furthermore, prove that if there's a will there is a way. We need to speak about mental health and we need to speak about it today more than ever.