MICHAEL directed by Raja Pradhan, India

MICHAEL is a psychological short film that takes us into a journey of storytelling itself. Revealing how a writer’s world, both external and internal, can shape, distort and redefine the stories they tell.

In a world filled with noise, conflict, contradiction and confusion, a disillusioned author, on his friends advice, escapes from the chaotic city life to a village in search of tranquility, clarity and inspiration. But instead of peace, he encounters a strange, unsettling tale, one that blurs the lines between memory, imagination and reality. Through Ravba, the mysterious caretaker of the house, the writer learns of his tragic love story while working in a circus- Ravba’s forbidden affair with Jenni, the wife of a circus owner named Michael. When their secret is exposed, a chain of violence and revenge unfolds.

As the lines between Ravba’s memories and the writer’s imagination blur, the story takes on a life of its own. Is it a story that has happened with Ravba or a creative invention or something in between? MICHAEL invites the audience to decide if this is a tale of purely fictional or real or somewhere in between.

I read this story by Mr Dilip Petwe 5-6 years ago. Since then I have been thinking of making a short film based on this story of Michael. Then I started working on it. First of all I wrote a screenplay on the same story. Veteran actor Ravindra Deodhar helped me to find the Malvan location. He acted in the film as the writer. The writer is the main character of the film. Mr Suraj Satav was ready to act as the title character Michael. Ravaba is also an important character. Rishikesh Kanade was appointed for the role. Mrs Shubhda Tikam and Sujata Sheltkar were fixed for main leading female characters. After all the arrangements the journey began. I had completed all the shooting in the Malvan area with the help of an experienced photographer.

Michael has been selected and included in to FFTG NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL Also included in LONDON LIFT OFF FILM FESTIVAL Nominated for ASIAN TALENT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. It is also an official entry for Goa short film festival and Dadadsheb Falake international film festival.