Hindi
Docu on coin collectors released
Mumbai: Did you know that a section of homeless people eke out their daily living from the modest coins dropped as offerings into the Yamuna river?
A 22 minute-long documentary titled In Search of Destiny (Coin Divers) by Aakash Arun, that attempts to throw light into the lives of coin divers numbering around 400 and 500 and living near the much-polluted but equally revered Yamuna, has been in circulation.
The film begins with a train chugging on a bridge and people ‘offering‘ coins to the Yamuna and subsequently praying for their wishes.
It is followed by a shot, where a child is seen hurling a dumbbell-shaped greasy object into the river and tugging the rope. The camera zooms into the dumbbell-shaped object and you see one shining coin stuck to it. Later on, the scene focuses on two men who narrate how they receive sustenance from the Yamuna in the form of coins.
"The men are part of the marginalised section which is not only homeless and helpless but also are susceptible to the ills of addiction, says Arun.
Nearly 60 per cent of these coin drivers in the national capital are in the grip of some form of addiction. These people are not too difficult to find out. Most of them are present in a radius of 4-6 km of the bridge over Yamuna that can be reached from Kashmere Gate, according to the film‘s narration.
"Coin divers on an average find coins worth Rs 100 daily," says Arun adding that earning goes up on few occasions when luck smiles upon them in the form of trinkets, heavy metallic objects that fetch decent prices.
The documentary was shot entirely using a DSLR camera which, he said, could be brought out in the open only after he could gain confidence of the coin divers.
The fact that Yamuna plays a pivotal role in these people‘s lives can be easily grasped by viewers.
Hindi
Rajesh Ramaswamy exits The Script Room to focus on filmmaking journey
Ad filmmaker steps away from own venture to pursue direction and storytelling
MUMBAI: In a move that has caught the attention of the advertising and creative community, Rajesh Ramaswamy has announced his exit from The Script Room, the company he co-founded, marking the end of a seven-year stint at the helm.
The decision, which came into effect earlier this month, signals a shift in focus for Ramaswamy, who is now looking to immerse himself fully in filmmaking and direction as an independent creative.
Known for blending sharp advertising insight with storytelling craft, Ramaswamy has been instrumental in shaping The Script Room into a creative hub that delivered campaigns, branded content, and original storytelling formats. Over the years, the company collaborated with agencies, directors, and a wide network of writers, while also experimenting with formats such as short films and web series.
Sharing his thoughts on the transition, Ramaswamy indicated that the move is driven by a desire to focus and explore stories he has been developing over time. While he acknowledged the unconventional nature of stepping away from one’s own venture, he also framed it as a necessary leap toward clarity and creative pursuit.
Importantly, The Script Room will continue its operations with its current team and leadership, with Ramaswamy expressing confidence in the group that helped build the company’s identity. The studio, he noted, remains well-positioned to evolve further with fresh talent and ideas.
His exit also reflects a wider industry trend, where experienced advertising professionals are increasingly transitioning into independent filmmaking, tapping into the growing opportunities across digital and long-form content platforms.
As Ramaswamy steps into this new phase, the move underscores a familiar creative instinct, sometimes, the boldest ideas begin with a clean break.
