Rajshri Deshpande starrer short film Gudgudi based on 2002 Gujarat riots set to be screened at Odense International Film Festival in Denmark

The film is directed by filmmaker Abhiroop Basu.

It is interesting to know that while most of the films that are based on the Gujarat riot of 2002 highlighted communal disharmony, this is the first film of its kind that explores the story from a woman's perspective and how the brutality of women has no mercy in the socio-cultural context.

Set against the harrowing backdrop of the riots, Gudgudi explores themes of survival and resilience through the lens of a mother-daughter duo.

Director Abhiroop Basu, who earlier made short films like Meal, Laali and Rhino Charge with Adil Hussain and Pankaj Tripathi and Geetanjali Kulkarni, respectively, started to research the subject of the Gujarat riot when many shocking incidents were unveiled through the process, which compelled him to make the short.

Speaking of the film, Abhiroop said, "During my research about the Riots of 2002, I came across this shocking news report that said more than 150 Hindu women were also raped and murdered. This led me to a moment of reckoning: Women don't have any religion. They are just flesh.

"And this became the very lens through which I wanted to revisit the riots and share this incredible true story."

Photo courtesy: PR Team

Reflecting on her decision to support the project, Rajshri noted, "I liked Abhiroop's point of view, that he got rid of all the unnecessary noise and decided to focus on a human story of survival against all odds.

"The fact that he chose to tell it from a woman's perspective about the Riots makes it fresh, urgent, and all the more relevant today."

The short film features a talented cast including Akash Sinha, Chetan Sharma, Kuldeep Sareen, and Shayree Sarkar.

The film will be screened at OFF on August 27, 29 and 31.