Santosh Ram’s “Prashna” wins the Best Short Film Award in Bengal and Kerala
Pune Based Filmmaker Santosh Ram’s “Prashna” has bagged the Best Film Award in 6th Bengal International Short Film Festival 2021 and Special Mention for Best Short Fiction Film at the 14th SiGNS Short Film and Documentary Film Festival organised by the Federation of Film Societies of India, Kerala. 6th Bengal International Short Film Festival was organised by the Bengal Film and Television Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata.
The film, which looks at the education of children of sugar cutting labourers and their life in Marathwada Region, had selected for Filmfare Short Film Awards 2020. “Prashna” is an ultra realistic short film that transpire in the remote area of Maharashtra. It is about Ganga and her son Ganesh. Ganga and her husband Rajkumar work as seasonal sugar cutting Labourers on a contract basis. They have to migrate from place to place for the work leaving behind their Native Village. Their only son Ganesh (Age 10 Years ) has to accompany them because nobody is there at home to take care of him. This is a problem for Ganesh’s educational progress as he is absent every year for Three Months. How Ganga, a Third Standard educated woman overcomes the problem of Ganesh’s Education as well as finds a way of acquiring knowledge for her own Progress.
The Jury of the 14th SiGNS Short Film and Documentary Film Festival read the citation for “Prashna”,“This film is able to bring together in a very simple and evocative way the very broad strands of themes- migratory labour, struggles of first generation school goers. The beauty of the narrative lies not only in the deft manner in which these two themes are brought together but also in the quiet and delicate way it is expressed through the struggles of a young mother. There is an urgent need to connect the dots and this film is able to do so with details that are pithy but stark, while holding onto a very gentle gaze imbued with humour and sensitivity.”
“I want to thank festival jury and the festival organisers from the bottom of my heart for the award. This is a very special honour for us We are all Happy and excited about the Award,” Santosh Ram said. Born in Udgir in Latur District, Ram is a well known name in film fraternity for his original and realistic style of film making. “Prashna” is Santosh Ram’s third acclaimed short film after his debut short “Vartul” which was screened around the world in the 56 Film festivals winning 14 Awards and his second Short Film “ Galli” was screened in 14 Film Festivals around the globe.
“Prashna”, 24 minute Marathi-language Short Film is Written and Directed by Santosh Ram and Produced by the Doctor couple, Mrs Dipali Garje Sanap and Mr Ganesh Sanap Cinematography by Arjun Balkrishnan and Edited by Pravin Anarse. Producer Ganesh Sanap said, “It’s an incredible honour and film is the best medium to raise some social issues like this, that’s why we decided to make the film.”
