WE MAKE FILMS, ON STORIES THAT MATTER
Drishti’s films are addressed through the lens of human rights. In our 26 years of work we have created films which have become a tool for discourse on various issues.
Drishti films offer a unique glimpse into social issues in India as told by thoughtful, committed filmmakers. They are done with the full participation of the people whose lives, stories and experiences make the subject of our films. Community members are often present as actors and writers, and always as equal partners.
These films are as informative as they are entertaining and a must see for anyone interested in better understanding the diverse Indian perspectives on environment, gender, democracy, caste, and religion.
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FEATURED VIDEOS
SMART CITY BLUES
Hindi with English subtitles I 22 mins I 2017
15th August, 2015, brutal police force is unleashed on the slum residents of Shekhar Nagar, Indore. In hours, more than 3000 people are rendered homeless. The combat between the civic administration and a waste picker community’s right to housing and livelihood continues today in the form of a long drawn legal battle, as the displaced adjusts to the new houses 16 km away on the fringes of the city lacking all basic facilities. In this revealing tale of the unconstitutional practices during resettlement, the film questions the very foundation of projects like Smart City and the plight of the poor and marginalized.
Awards and Recognition:
Awards and Recognition:
- Special Jury Mention, Noida International Film Festival 2018
- KIFF, 2018
GOONGA PEHELWAN
Hindi with English Subtitle I 44 mins I 2015
Goonga Pehelwan is a documentary that follows India’s most successful deaf athlete on his unlikely yet highly deserving quest to reach the Rio Olympics 2016 and become only the second deaf wrestler in the history of the Olympics to do so. This is Virender Singh’s story – a captivating account of an incredible athlete, largely unknown and snubbed by the bureaucracy. As Virender gears up for his third Deaflympics appearance in Bulgaria, the film delves into his journey from the by-lanes of a village in Haryana to becoming India’s most successful deaf athlete. On the way, it looks at all that he has endured and achieved through a glittering decade and a half long career.
Awards and recognition:
Awards and recognition:
- Winner of 62nd National Film Award for the year 2014 under Best Debut Film of a Director (Non-Feature)Category.
- Special mention at the International Documentary and Short Film, Kerala, 2014.
- Winner We Care Festival 2015
- Winner 1st International Film Festival for Persons with Disabilities.
KHARAI CAMEL
Hindi-Kutchi with English Subtitle | 13 Mins | 2014
Life in Arid region is due to livestock’ and camel has been considered as a lifeline in desert ecosystem. Kachchh district, apparently considered as dry region, has contributed unique livestock species. The most interesting of such species is the Kharai Camel, probably, the only domesticated animal species that lives in dual eco-system, as it survives on dry land ecosystem as well as coastal eco-system. Kharai Camel, perhaps the first such kind of camel which can swim through sea water and reach islands in creeks in the gulf of Kuchchh. Unfortunately this breed is depleting fast due to rapid industrialization and cutting down of mangrove forests. This film explores the uniqueness of the breed, its relationship with the maldhari pastoral community and the plight of the kharai camels and maldharis due to industrialization
LESSER HUMANS
Gujarati. Telugu. Tamil. Kannada. English | 59 mins | 1998
50 years of Independence have not changed the lives of the Bhangis in Gujarat, who even today continue the profession prescribed to them by the caste system - manually disposing human excreta. This film investigates the factors responsible for the continuance of this often banned inhuman practice.
Awards and recognition:
Awards and recognition:
- Excellence Award, Earth Vision Film Festival, Tokyo, 1999
- Best Film, New Delhi Video Festival, 1999
- Silver Conch, 5th Mumbai International Film Festival, 1998
- Special Mention, Amnesty International Film Festival, Amsterdam, 1998
WHEN WOMEN UNITE
Telugu. Hindi. Gujarati. English | 80 mins | 1996
This film investigates one of the most extraordinary social uprisings of modern India -- a rural women’s uprising against state supply of liquor in Andhra Pradesh that sustained for three long years, eventually forcing the state government to declare Prohibition.
Awards and recognition:
Awards and recognition:
- Grand Prize, 6th Tokyo Global Environmental Film Festival, 1997
- Chingari Video Festival, Conference on South Asian Studies, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, 1996
- Margaret Mead International Film Festival, New York, USA, 1997
LET’S TELL STORIES THAT MATTER, TOGETHER
We partner with organizations to make films. Based on a discussion process with organizations and communities we decide on a script and work on the film. If your organization is looking to make a film on an important issue, then drop in a line.
Watch our film on YouTube channel to know about the ground reality of the social issues in India.
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