"Uthenge Hum": A Film for a Hopeful India

Blue waters, clear skies and empty streets. That is the picture of India during Lockdown. From March 24th to May 31st, India as a nation experienced an unprecedented moment in time, as a collective. This short film, "Uthenge Hum", documents that novel period.

" Hum" is a project undertaken by a crew of 117 filming staff, led by filmmaker Bharath Bala. If his name doesn't ring a bell, then this definitely should: the filmmaker also created magic with the music video for AR Rahman's 'Vande Mataram'. With mere glimpses of all the natural beauty present throughout this country, he crafted something stunningly powerful. And now, he's done it again.

The short film spans across various cities in India, documenting our country in a state of total Lockdown. It begins with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech, where he imposed a nationwide lockdown on the night of March 24th. The ending is simple yet impactful: we see the Indian tricolour national flag fluttering in the wind. A sight most have seen before, but never fails to leave one moved.

Exploring the scenic landscapes of India - from the Ganga to the mountain side, the project takes a close look at the enormity of the Lockdown over a three month period. With 1.3 billion citizens staying at home, fighting the coronavirus pandemic together, this film is a tale of hope.

Capturing a drastically different India, "Uthenge Hum" travels across 14 states, covering thousands of kilometers. This India has never been seen before.

The film also witnesses a message, that embodies what everyone is feeling right now: 'Don't know what happened, feels like all our lives changed in just a single moment. But the sun will rise tomorrow and we too will rise with it.' It's a promise of hope, because after all, it's the one thing that keeps us moving forward.

The solution is clear. We will rise through this adversity and come out on the other side. As we unify against a common cause, the ripples of our strength are felt - by each citizen of the country, and by the very ground we stand on.