Private Project

The Procession

The Procession is a poignant short film that follows Ram Kishan Vidyarthi, a devoted resident of a small traditional town known for its ancient temples and rich cultural heritage. For over 60 years, Ram Kishan has maintained his grandfather's legacy by leading the daily Prabhat Pheri (morning procession) to the town's oldest Ram temple, never missing a single day despite any obstacles.
As Ram Navami approaches, Ram Kishan diligently prepares for the festival while neglecting his health, despite warnings from his daughter Gauri, a doctor. The story culminates in a profound spiritual moment when, on Ram Navami morning, Ram Kishan doesn't wake for the first time—yet remarkably appears in the procession, highlighting the transcendent power of devotion beyond physical existence.

  • Mahendra Shrivas
    Director
  • Mahendra Shrivas
    Writer
  • Eesha Agrawal
    Producer
  • Ankeet Mishra
    Producer
  • Atul Shrivastava
    Key Cast
  • Eesha Agrawal
    Key Cast
  • Prachee Pathak
    Key Cast
  • Anil Rastogi
    Key Cast
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Prabhat Pheri
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    27 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 10, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Mahendra Shrivas

Mahendra Kumar Shrivas is an accomplished filmmaker and theatre artist from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh. Born in 1981, he contributed to the National Award-winning film "Ship of Theseus" and has directed "Prabhat Pheri.", his directorial debut. With formal training from Bhartendu Natya Academy and FTII Pune, Mahendra began his career in 2006 with the acclaimed play "Haya Vadan." His acting credits include "Raees," "Sharmaji Namkeen," and "City of Dreams." Mahendra's directorial approach focuses on authentic storytelling and exploring diverse narratives, influenced by his mentor Dr. Rakesh Soni. His work seamlessly blends artistic expression with social impact.

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Director Statement

Vinod Kumar Shukla has a poem:
“This day is the daily wage of life.
A morning comes, and we get our salary,
By evening, it is spent.
Who knows about the next day?
And if the morning of this uncertain day arrives,
It is a loan borrowed.
Friends, I will repay the loan of these borrowed days
By loving the lives of others.”

He has another poem:
“Who belongs to which village,
Where did he come from, where did he go?
One day, he arrived,
One day, he stayed,
Someday, he will return,
To some village for a few days.
Someone forgot him,
Someone remembered him.”

We all seek answers to questions about life—what is its purpose? At different ages, we find different answers. Sometimes, life feels aimless, and at other times, we find a reason to live. That reason can be anything. For Ram Kishan, it was Prabhat Pheri. A childhood habit that connected him not just to his faith but also to his ancestors, his past, his surroundings, and everything— living or non-living—that shaped his world. For Ram Kishan, death is as natural as life. Dying is merely an extension of living. He does not
wish to let go of this connection because Prabhat Pheri is the answer to his existential question. Life is unpredictable—random even. Or perhaps, it has a deeper meaning. Just like Ram Kishan, we are all searching for our own answers.