An 18 minute-short film, 'The Idiot', directed by Ruchi Joshi and Sriram Ganapathy will have its world premiere at the 40th Asian American International Film Festival in New York on July 27th, 2017.
The film has been shot entirely in black and white and tackles the idea of Islamophobia and uses black humour to expose the bigotry of society which feeds on religious stereotypes to generate paranoia.
Directors Ruchi and Sriram Ganapathy are ecstatic about the movie's selection at the prestigious film festival.
Arfi Lamba, who shot to fame with the Academy Award winning Danny Boyle film 'Slumdog Millionaire' (2008) plays the protagonist in the film.
Lamba has been recently in the limelight after starring in films like 'Fugly' (2014), 'Singh is Bliing' (2015).
“I am glad that I could be a part of a film that tackles Islamophobia,” says Lamba, who has been part of theatre productions before foraying into films.
Previously, he has appeared in short films like 'Shunyata', 'A Perfect Murder' (2007) and Rohan Sabharwal’s film 'Shades of Grey'.
“Short films are gaining importance in terms of relevance. I intend to be part of many more such films that put the spotlight on what is wrong with us as a society, As an artist, I will always give art more importance and preference than pure entertainment.” says the engineer-turned-actor.
Lamba, who has co-produced the film under the banner 'Bombay Berlin Film Production' says 'The Idiot' is close to his heart since it deals with a subject which is highly relevant today.
Director Ruchi Joshi’s feature film script ‘All about Her’ was selected for NFDC Screenwriter's Lab, Sarajevo.
Currently, she is in talks with production houses for her upcoming films.
Meanwhile, Sriram Ganapathy is a cinematographer who has cranked the camera for films like 'Sixteen', 'Jigariya' and 'Solid Patels' as well as directing a popular commercial featuring Bollywood superstar directed Amitabh Bachchan.