Vankshita Mishra, Writer 

Sloan Grant(s) Received: 2024, USC, Screenwriting Award

Project Type: Feature

Genre: Drama

Length: 100 pages

Field of Science: Geology and Engineering

Stage: Development 

Synopsis: 

Upon finishing his Bachelors in Geology, the 23-year-old protagonist Kabir intends to briefly return to his hometown Meha (in the Himalayas) to check on his aging father, Prabhat. His stay in Meha gets prolonged when he discovers the increased environmental destruction of the town in the three years that he has been away and his consequent desire to help Prabhat, a proud farmer who, for the past few years, has carried the burden of dwindling yields and mounting debt without informing Kabir. Kabir’s friendships also reignite, particularly with the witty and independent Rikita.

To pay Prabhat’s debts, Kabir decides to secure a temporary job as a geological advisor to Bhoomi Construction, the firm responsible for a major highway project in the state. As Kabir delves into the research report for Bhoomi, he discovers that the proposed construction will destabilise the soil and worsen landslides in the coming monsoon. Kabir reveals this to his supervisors and is told to fake the report or he will be fired. Kabir is torn between his desire to stay at home to help his father and stay with his newfound love, Rikita, versus a higher-paying job in a city. This internal conflict is reflected in the issues of the local community too. On one hand there is the terror of environmental destruction and loss of livelihood resulting from the highway, and on the other, the state/corporation-led motive to modernise the town and promote economic growth.

As the story comes to a head, Kabir decides to quit his job and disseminate his findings about the corruption and imminent environmental disaster. He stays and joins the effort of the local union. The movie ends on a bittersweet note, with the tragedy of the relentless onslaught of monsoon balanced by the spirited fight put up by the townsfolk.