Movies
Sanjay Mishra shines in Manish Saini directorial ‘Giddh’
Mumbai: Giddh (The Scavenger) a short film, produced by Ellanar films and co-produced by Amdavad Films, has taken the centre stage at acclaimed film festivals, globally. The film is helmed by the National award-winning director, Manish Saini who is known for masterpieces like Dhh, and Gandhi and Co. Following an impressive curtain call from global critics, and audiences alike, Giddh has emerged as the proud winner of the highly esteemed Asia International Competition at the renowned Short Shorts Film Festival Asia 2023. Furthermore, the immensely talented Sanjay Mishra has been honored with the prestigious ‘Best Actor’ award at the coveted film festival, acknowledging his exceptional performance in Giddh. The prestigious ‘Best Short Film’ win makes Ellanar Films’ Giddh officially qualified to compete at the Oscars. The monumental win positions Giddh as a strong contender for the esteemed Academy Awards, in the short film category.
Giddh has been noted internationally for evoking great emotion with its rawness, and uncompromising rendering of harsh realities. It also struck a chord with the jury of the highly acclaimed USA Film Festival 2023, which recognised Giddh as a finalist. The distinguished film festival has a stellar track record of propelling filmmakers to success at the Oscars, with numerous winners and finalists going on to achieve the coveted Academy recognition. In addition to this, Giddh has also garnered official selections at some of the world’s most esteemed short film festivals including the LA Shorts International Film Festival 2023 and the Carmarthen Bay International Film Festival 2023.
The social commentary is a testimonial to Mishra’s versatility. It’s a story that the world needs. It is bound to keep you thinking with its poignant narrative that holds a mirror to events that undeniably exist but we tend to look away from. Mishra embodies his character in a way that will immerse you in a whirlwind of emotions.
Sharing her thoughts on the win, Ellanar Films founder, producer Radhika Lavu stated, “Giddh is a story that truly has something unique to share with the world, as it explores the complexities of humanity and allows the viewer to explore the depths of their conscience. This monumental international recognition reinforces Ellanar Film’s commitment towards bringing audiences thoughtful and reflective content that stays with them for a long, long time. We are truly humbled and more inspired than ever to back the greatest talents of today. It is indeed a triumphant moment to have audiences worldwide join us on this film’s explorative journey.”
Thrilled about the overwhelming response, Giddh editor, director, writer Mansih Saini shared, “This win is not ours alone; it belongs to every individual touched by the film’s message, sparking their own reflections on morality within its frames. We express heartfelt gratitude to film lovers across the globe for passionately embracing Giddh as fervently as we did. The reception at some of the world’s most reputed film festivals has filled us with elation. This is more than a qualification for the Academy Awards; it is also an exaltation of the extraordinary power of storytelling!”
Opening up about his experience, Mishra said, “I am deeply humbled and grateful for the overwhelming global reception that our film, Giddh, has received. It has been an unforgettable journey, and the experience of collaborating with such an incredible crew will forever stay with me. We faced challenges head-on, pouring our hearts into every scene, and witnessing the magic that unfolded before our very eyes. As I look back on the countless hours of hard work and unwavering dedication invested in this project, I am profoundly moved by the reception and recognition that our labor of love has garnered.”
Ellanar Films, known for its expertise in producing exceptional content, has made an impressive foray into Hindi cinema with Giddh. The production team continues to turn heads, touch hearts, and bring a change with its unique stories.
Hindi
Remembering Gyan Sahay, the lens behind film, television and advertising
From a puppet rabbit selling poppadums to Hindi cinema, he framed it all.
MUMBAI: There are careers, and then there are canvases. Gyan Sahay, the veteran cinematographer, director, and producer who passed away on 10 March 2026 in Mumbai, had one of the latter. Over several decades in the Indian film and television industry, he turned lenses, lights, and the occasional puppet rabbit into something approaching art.
A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, Sahay built his reputation as a director of photography across a career that stretched from the early 1970s all the way to the digital age. He was the kind of craftsman who understood that a well-composed shot is not merely a technical achievement but a quiet act of storytelling.
For most Indians of a certain age, however, Sahay will forever be the man behind the rabbit. His direction of the iconic long-running television commercial for Lijjat Papad, featuring its now-legendary puppet bunny, gave the country one of its most cheerfully persistent advertising images. It was the sort of work that sneaks into the national subconscious and takes up permanent residence.
His big-screen credits as cinematographer include Anokhi Pehchan (1972), Pagli (1974), Pas de Deux (1981), and Hum Farishte Nahin (1988). In 1999, he stepped behind a different kind of camera altogether, making his directorial debut with Sar Ankhon Par, a drama that featured Vikas Bhalla and Shruti Ulfat, with a cameo by Shah Rukh Khan for good measure.
On television, Sahay was particularly prized for his command of multi-camera production setups, a skill that made him a go-to technician for large-scale shows and reality programmes. In an industry that has never been especially patient with complexity, he was the calm hand on the rig.
In later life, Sahay turned teacher. He participated regularly in masterclasses and Digi-Talks, often hosted by organisations such as Bharatiya Chitra Sadhna, sharing hard-won wisdom on cinematography, the comedy of timing in a shot, and the sweeping changes brought by the shift from celluloid to digital. He was also said to have been involved in a project concerning a biographical film on Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy.
Tributes from the film industry poured in following the news of his passing, with colleagues remembering him as a senior cameraman who served as a rare bridge between two entirely different eras of Indian cinema. That is, perhaps, the finest thing one can say of any craftsman: he kept up, and he brought others along with him.
