Private Project

A Call from the Past

(World Premiere) A unique avant garde Experimental art film, this is the story of every artist: of a disconcerted mind on a quest to find his very existence in his own art. The film traces the journey of art which suddenly comes alive, descending down the artist's studio and the deepest corners of his mind in search of its meaning and reflections.

His studio houses relics of the past-full of emotions-which stir the very conscience of both the art and artist who find the shadows of the past lurking everywhere. Today, when the past is often neglected, the film reveals how both the present and the future will soon become past, but only the past will remain unchanged, Eternal.

With the artist's dilemma answered, the film asks us to introspect: what happens when the past calls.

Throughout, the artist (the creator) and his art (the creation) witness how they're not separate but one and the same- how the art and the artist are inseparable.

With profound meaning in each frame, the film’s backdrop is formed by rich Visual & Antique Art Collection with rare endangered ancient Indian Dhrupad music by the only woman Rajasthani Dhrupad singer Dr. Madhu Bhatt Tailang- the last of her lineage, that takes the story forward along with the powerful vocal narrative and the strong visuals in every frame.

  • Ajay Jain
    Director
    Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored, Unforgettable Himachal
  • Vidhu Rashmi
    Writer
    Conquering Kedarnath: Hiking to the Heavens, Unforgettable Himachal, Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored, Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India
  • Vidhu Rashmi
    Co-Director
    Conquering Kedarnath: Hiking to the Heavens, Unforgettable Himachal, Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored, Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India
  • Vidhu Rashmi
    Prose 'The Shadows of the Past' Written by
  • Rituraj Devaang Jain, Sukhnidhey Films
    Producer
    Conquering Kedarnath: Hiking to the Heavens, Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored, Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India
  • Rituraj Devaang Jain
    Cinematography, Editing & Sound Design
    The Potter: Shaping Lives, Conquering Kedarnath: Hiking to the Heavens. Unforgettable Himachal, Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored, Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India
  • Jhankriti Jain
    Colour Grading & Correction
    Conquering Kedarnath: Hiking to the Heavens, Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored
  • Jhankriti Jain
    Cinematic Colour Enhancement Direction
    Conquering Kedarnath: Hiking to the Heavens, Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored
  • Vinay Sharma
    Art & Collection
  • Ashok Banthia
    Key Cast
    Bodyline, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron, Mission Kashmir
  • Vinay Sharma
    Key Cast
  • Bharat Ratna Bhargava
    Narration
  • Dr. Madhu Bhatt Tailang
    Music
  • Ajay Jain
    Set Design & Conceptualization
  • Rituraj Devaang Jain
    Set Design & Conceptualization
  • Vinay Sharma
    Make-up Art Direction
  • Ajay Jain
    Make-up Art Direction
  • Laxminarayan
    Make-Up
  • Hari
    On-Set Helper
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Feature, Other
  • Genres:
    Experimental, Art, Art film, Experimental Film, Fantasy, Magic, Surreal, Visual Art, Artwork, Painting, Design, Heritage, Antique, Antique Art, Body Art
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 15 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 13, 2016
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, FullHD 1080p- fullframe
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • WIND International Film Festival
    Hollywood, Los Angeles
    United States
    Top Final Nominee- Best Director, Best Actor, Best Set Design & Best Music
  • FI-CI-Prox Festival Internacional Cine Próximo- The Teasers International Film Festival-2016
    Buenos Aires
    Argentina
    Finalist Official Selection
  • Ekurhuleni International Film Festival-2016
    Johannesburg
    South Africa
    Official Selection
  • IndieWise International Film Festival-2016

    Official Selection
  • IndieBoost International Film Festival

    Finalist
Director Biography - Ajay Jain

Ajay is a Heritage, Archaeology, Art & Travel- Filmmaker. A B.E. and M.B.A. by qualification, he is a Broadcasting Corporation of India- Prasar Bharti (Doordarshan) empanelled filmmaker, and has directed 117+ TV Show episodes for Doordarshan on Indian heritage, culture, archaeology & arts.

His films have been recognized as some of the best on Indian heritage and culture. Ajay is the founding member of Sukhnidhey Films which are the only 'Outstanding' rated filmmakers in the country as recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

He has also produced films for the Archaeological Survey of India- India's apex archaeological organization, filming and documenting some of the most ancient and unexplored places and cultures which still lie forgotten.

An extremely passionate traveler, Ajay has driven across the length and breadth of India- from over some of the world's highest mountain roads and passes in the Himalayas to the beautiful roads at the land's end in Kanyakumari, India.

His films have been awarded and screened at some of the World’s premier International Film Festivals.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

“A Call from the Past” is the story of an artist, who paints and collects relics of the past in his studio but is confused about his art, the true meaning of his depictions and ultimately, the purpose of his life. In this journey through time, through the portals of the past, the art relives every moment of its existence with the artist who experiences each emotion in his journey so far through shadows of the past which never depart, but call out to be heard and heeded to.