'Ooru' is a story of one’s roots that are deeply entrenched within the land they belong to, whether or not they realize it. A man returns to his village from the city to visit his father, only to find a terrible development awaiting him - his unexpected demise. 

Though the music video may have opened with the protagonist's affinity for the city life, things take a sudden turn now that he finds his father’s land under threat. Through the song and music that is invoked, the film presents an impactful narrative of one’s legacy and deep ties with their origins. Equally strong visuals of the outdoors support the endeavor further, leaving no stone unturned in communicating the thematic concerns of the end result.

Ooru | Short Film Nominee

The film opens with a mellow scene of a grandfather teaching a child about the values that shaped and built the life he leads now in a village of Maharashtra. The story then progresses to introduce the viewer to the child’s father, Namya. 

As each character is gradually introduced, a story develops with a conflict at its heart that is becoming increasingly common in our contemporary reality. Builders from Pune want to acquire more and more agricultural land, often by pressuring and arm-twisting the local farmers, and turn the fields into buildings of cement and concrete. 

By portraying two father-son equations, of Tatya and Ganga, and Namya and his Appa, the film explores the many anxieties and tensions that define this situation. The performances remain steadfast throughout, alongside skilled visuals that bring these ideas and relationships to life. The story further ropes in drama, punctuated with a little humor every now and then, to share all of this with audiences, finally concluding with an important social message.

Varasa | Spotlight

A very important businessman, Subramanyam, has taken time out of his terribly busy schedule in Singapore to visit his village. When he begins sharing his story, he mentions his childhood Telugu teacher, Ramaiah master, and the plot begins to unfold. At the same time, we are introduced to the said master. He is accompanied by a young woman who shares with him his love for the language. It is in the overlap of the two threads that the film’s message is communicated to the viewer, one about the significance of the language and the need to preserve it for future generations.

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