THE SYNOPSIS
The Confidant is the story of a housewife who is constantly on her phone, chatting, comforting and sharing a laugh with someone. It is by revealing the recipient of all of these calls that the film shares an important message about mental health.
TECHNICAL INFO
Title
Genre
Production Year
Country of Origin
Language
Run Time
Screen Ratio
Sound Format
The Confidant
Drama/Short
2021
India
Hindi
3:51 mins
2.35
Stereo
ABOUT THE FILM
The objective of the film was to help people reach out to people whose near ones are suffering from depression.
An alarming number that plagues the nation is that 1 in 20 people is affected by depression – and women are 50% more susceptible.
The real challenge was to educate people about depression without being preachy.
THE BIG IDEA!
The Core Idea: People grappling with depression need a heeding ear – hear them out. That’s the first step towards arriving at a solution.
The Communication: The film underlines the need of the people, who are combating depression, to have a companion, with whom they can share their loneliness, and their longing.
The touch points, along with the release day, were carefully chosen to have maximum reach. The film released on World Mental Health Day, and was published on Lokmat Sakhi’s YouTube Channel, as well as circulated amongst its database on WhatsApp.
THE RESULT
We set out with the sole objective of communicating the need of recognising mental health issue in a slice-of-life situation so that people sit and take notice. A story line, which could be understood and identified by people.
Our goal was to create maximum awareness about depression, and the significance of identifying the situation as early as possible to be able to aid in dealing with it. To reach out to as many people as possible – those, who are experiencing depression, or those whose loved ones are going through the ordeal.
The campaign was well received. The penny drop moment at the end made people watch it second time to connect the dots. Such was the impact that it was shared across social media platforms – crisscrossing societal, age and gender spectrums. Published on World Mental Health Day, the impact was resounding.
The Confidant recently won
‘Short Film of the Day’ award at Shorted India.
The film is an Official Selection at 9 film festivals globally till date. The likes of which include the prestigious
‘Dada Saheb Phalke International Film Festival’
&
‘12th Dada Saheb Film Festival-22 New Delhi, NCR’.
It is also an Official Selection at the
‘Health for All Film Festival’
convened by the
World Health Organisation, Geneva
with notable jury members like
Emilia Clarke & Sharon Stone
as well as at the Liftoff Global Network Austin & Liftoff Global Network Tokyo 2022.
This is just the beginning of the extensive festival run mapped out for the film. These are stepping stones for us in our journey of spreading a very important message to a wider audience across the world!
AWARDS
LAURELS
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AUDIENCE REACTION
THE CAST
Girija Oak
Girija Oak is an Indian actress known for her performances in Taare Zameen Par and Shor in the City.
Oak made her debut on the big screen at the age of 15. She acted in Marathi movies including Goshta Choti Dongraevadhi, Gulmohar, Manini and Adgule Madgule.
Through her realistic performance and subtle nuances she breathes life into the character of the lonely housewife in
‘The Confidant’
THE DIRECTOR
Naved Ahmed
Naved Ahmed is an Indian filmmaker based in Mumbai. His major body of work consists of ad films for numerous Indian & International brands. He runs his own production house called Bonobo Pictures through which he produces & directs ads, shorts, promos & has sights on longer format films as well. He won the Special Jury Award at the prestigious ‘Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival’ in 2015 for his very first ad film as a director. He has also worked as a second unit director on the Hindi feature film ‘Tevar’ which was directed by Amit Sharma of ‘Badhai Ho’ fame and produced by Boney Kapoor.
THE TEAM
Sanjay Narang
Producer
Sanjay Narang is a passionate producer, and has been in advertising (Agency and Production) for the last 10 years. After being Agency Producer with JWT he further moved on to joining Classics Films as a Producer and currently as Free Lance Executive Producer, where he has produced many commercials for multiple brands with multiple directors across categories such as Slice of Life, Beauty, Food, Automobile , Content etc . He is well versed in handling the demands and quirks of the Production job with his smooth, seasoned expertise and does not rest until a full and finished product is executed and delivered.
Ragul Dharuman
Director of Photography
Ragul Dharuman was born in the Nilgiris of Southern India. He did his major in cinematography from the acclaimed Film Institute of India located at Adyar Chennai which is also the home for some of India's best minds behind the camera. He then assisted India's well known Ace Cinematographer Mr. Ravi K Chandran for a few years before starting his own independent journey in 2013 . During the period of assisting was the time he was taught to see the light in a different and new perspective than before and had gained a lot of aesthetic knowledge from his mentor.
Anu Sirsalewala
Dialogue Writer
Anupama Sirsalewala is an associate creative director, Ogilvy, Mumbai.
She has about 10 years of copywriting experience on brands like Perfetti, Pidilite, Unilever, Gujarat Tourism Etc. She dabbles in advertising for a living but movies are her life. Her biggest achievement in life is watching DDLJ more than 80 times and loving it each time. She wants to make a movie that remains as eternal.
Dhruv Dutt
Editor
Dhruv Dutt is a Mumbai-based editor and director. After working in various private and corporate jobs for 9 years, he turned his passion for filmmaking into his profession and hasn’t looked back since.
Over the years, he has honed his technical prowess in all aspects of filmmaking and worked with established creative minds, like Abhinay Deo.
His body of work as an editor includes several acclaimed commercials and short films, which are featured on OTT. Dhruv has also directed films, his first of which was featured on the prestigious Ads of the World.
Haroon - Gavin
Music Directors
Haroon Rashid & Gavin Pereira are a dynamic music composer/producer duo Haroon-Gavin based in Mumbai, who have made a mark in the advertisement industry in merely three years.Haroon and Gavin are known for their fresh and innovative sounds, satiating the demands of modern trends and audiences in the advertising world. They have indulged in projects that are highly appreciated and recognized in the industry. The musical work of this Mumbai-based duo spans across vast variety of genres. They have bagged over 300 ad films for multinational brands like McDonalds, Tropicana, IKEA, P&G, Volkswagen and several more.
THE PRODUCTION HOUSE
Bonobo Pictures Pvt. Ltd. is a creative content driven film production house. Ever evolving, curious and exploring.
Through meaningful storytelling and creative visual content, they help agencies and brands connect with audiences in new and innovative ways.
With an industry experience of over 12 years, they make sure every idea is evolved and executed to its full potential. Be it a small budget indie film or a magnum opus, they treat every idea with similar passion and focus!
Since inception in 2020, Bonobo has produced numerous ad films promos for various brands and agencies. They also have a keen eye for meaningful stories which they strive to bring to the audience in short and long forms.
THE PRODUCTION HOUSE
THE CREATIVE AGENCY
Curry Nation Brand Conversations Pvt Ltd was conceptualised and founded by Priti Nair and Nagessh Pannaswami in 2011. A full-service communication solution agency offering solutions across the board. They connect brands to culture. And create stories that make the brand conversation worthy.
Curry Nation is the go-to agency for New Age Entrepreneurs; an SME that's fast scaling up or an established enterprise with a brand that needs a new storytelling to create relevance & empathy.
They started with their focus on the SME & entrepreneur segment and managed wins like Cholayil, Emami, Nirlep, Weikfield, Cavin Kare, Rasna. The joy of working with entrepreneurs is unparalleled. The sense of partnership, agile decision making & decisions driven by gut is a great thrill.
Today, they also manage brands like Kinder Joy, HomeTown, Colors Marathi, Desai Brothers Limited, Loksatta, Disano Peanut Butter, etc. They are an alternate to the big slow battleships operating currently.
Nagessh Pannaswami
Co-Founder & Partner
Curry Nation Brand Cnversations Pvt. Ltd.
With almost 3 decades in advertising straddling planning, business development & account management Nagessh Pannaswami, brings in a holistic perspective to clients business problems. He has ideated, launched & managed a slew of brands that have gone onto win laurels in the marketplace
The new digital marketing & D2C ecommerce landscape is the new excitement in his life as he tries to master it. He is an avid singer and a passionate runner too.
Piti Nair
Co-Founder & Partner
Curry Nation Brand Cnversations Pvt. Ltd.
Priti Nair started her career twenty nine years ago with Dart Communication. Since then, she has had long stints in senior positions at Leo Burnett followed by Lowe ,Grey ,BBH and now her very own Curry-Nation. She has been the force behind such campaigns as Surf Excel, the famous Green Ply campaign, Balbir Pasha, Clinic All Clear, Camlin, Rexona, Wheel, Maruti, LG, Axe, Havells ,Ambuja Cement,18 again to name a few. Her forte is integrated communication that includes Televison,print , radio ,digital ,retail activation.She has made close to 300 films and build strong brands by providing solid 360 degree packages.
Vikrant Dange
Writer & Creative Head
Curry Nation Brand Cnversations Pvt. Ltd.
Vikrant Dange is a writer, wordsmith, creative director based in Mumbai. From banking to gaming, fashion to hospitality, agri-products to FMCG, Indian to multinational brands, you would find a campaign on almost all in his portfolio. A portfolio with fair and fitting communication solutions that saw flourishing conclusions for his accounts, and a handful of awards that brought joy to his soul. Long and fruitful stints at Shakun, Focus Communications, Marching Ants and R. K. Swamy BBDO had a stirring impact on my writing skills and his capability to think original. Today he is working with Curry Nation.
CREDITS
Cast
Director
Production House
Producer
DOP
Dialogue
Director’s Assistant
Assistant Director
Costume stylist
Art Director
​
Line Producer
Production Manager
​
Focus Puller
Gaffer
Production Boy
Accountant
Offline & Online Editor
Music Director
Violin
Cello
Sound Studio
Sound Engineer
Creative Agency
Founders
​
Script Writer & Creative Head
Account Management
Girija Oak
Naved Ahmed
Bonobo Pictures
Sanjay Narang
Ragul Dharuman
Anupama Sirsalewala
Yadnya Ahiwale
Kshitij Kamble
Dipika Campaneri
Akash Gautam
Quincy Sanadhya
Moby
Afreen Inamdar
Arshad
Dev
Surendra Sahu
Faizan Sheikh
Kusum Tambe
Dhruv Dutt
Haroon-Gavin
Jitendra Thakur
Ramchandra
Bay Owl Studios
Percy Lima
Curry Nation Brand Conversations
Priti Nair
Nagessh Pannaswami
Vikrant Dange
Cedric DSouza
Q&A WITH THE DIRECTOR
Why did you choose to make this film?
The film talks about a very important subject of Mental Health which is often overlooked or brushed under the carpet. The national statistics paint a very grim picture. When I read the script for the first time, I was really moved and felt that the message should reach as many people as possible across the world. Thats when I decided to make the film.
​
What were the challenges you faced?
The real challenge was to educate people about depression and mental health without being preachy. Since it was a sensitive topic, it had to be treated carefully and with subtlety.
What was your thought behind casting?
Casting is at the heart of this film as the film is about a single character, a lonely housewife. The film demanded a natural performer, someone who would bring the character to life and make it relatable to the audience. Girija Oak was a very natural choice for this role. Ever since I first read the script, I imagined Girija playing the part. Because of her realistic performance, her subtle nuances, she got under the skin of the character and did an amazing job of making the character so relatable to the viewer.
​
Do you intend on telling more such stories?
Yes, Absolutely! Such stories are hidden in plain sight, yet we often fail to see them. Issues like these plague our society and we should address them. Primarily because there is extreme lack of awareness.
Who is this film meant for?
The film is meant for everyone. Young and old, men and women. Mental Health awareness is very important and everyone needs to be educated about it.
Have you achieved what you set out to do with the film?
Yes & No.
Yes, because this film is having an impact on viewers and they are getting aware of Mental Health issues. The film is reaching places and is being accepted not just in India but globally as well. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially selected the film to be a part of their Health for All Film Festival. It is also being recognised at a number of International Film Festivals. All this is helping us spread the message further.
No, because we are still in the process of spreading the message with this film. We want the film to reach every person who is listening and watching. We want to educate people worldwide about mental health and depression
WATCH THE FILM
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