This is why Shoojit Sircar got emotional while filming his latest short film - Kshamata

 

Known for his extraordinary storytelling and ace direction, filmmaker Shoojit Sircar has left many of us moved with his stellar work & films. But the director himself went through an emotional ride while filming his latest project, a short film titled Kshamata. Here’s Shoojit sharing what touched his heart as he captured the story of a speech & hearing impaired protagonist in this film.

Made for KFC India, Kshamata is a heartwarming story of perseverance & potential. The film provides a glimpse into the life of Ishmeet, portrayed beautifully by non-actors Ashmit Kaur & Sapna Soni, as she breaks the societal shackles of what she can and cannot do. Recently during an exclusive premier of the short film, when Shoojit was asked about his favourite moment from the making of the film, he said that the emotions displayed by the young girls in the film touched him. Being non-actors and speech & hearing impaired themselves, the girls’ portrayal of Ishmeet seem raw & authentic – how all her life someone or the other is always holding her hand, whether a family member, a friend, or a teacher at school, from one stage to another, seeming more a life reality than a need. Shoojit adds how this experience has been enriching for him, and how there’s been unlearning & relearning for him as he worked with Ashmit & Sapna. The scenes where Ishmeet confronts her mother for the first-time prodding for her independence, and later the pride her mother feels as Ishmeet hands her the appointment letter from KFC at the end of the film, make Shoojit emotional. See his reaction on video here.  

The short film Kshamata was released by KFC India on International Day of Sign Languages, 23^rd September, as part of their social purpose initiative by the same name, KFC Kshamata. KFC India has been a pioneer in enabling the Speech and Hearing Impaired by extending employment & growth opportunities to them since 2008, employing & supporting more than 150 Speech & Hearing-Impaired team members across their restaurants at present. To mark the occasion of International Day of Sign Languages this year, KFC’s #SpeakSign campaign was rolled out in 33 Special KFC restaurants (restaurants operated by specially abled team members) across 19 cities, encouraging customers & team members to communicate only in sign language

Watch the short film by Shoojit Sircar, Kshamata here.