Hello Arsi (2018)

'Hello Arsi' recreated poster

Released in: 2018

Directed by: Sambit Mohanty

Produced by: Ajaya Routray

Production Co.: Vedamata Productions

Screenplay by: Sambit Mohanty

Editing: Siba Prasad Mohanty

Cinematography: Prasantanu Mohapatra

Sound Design: Subash Sahoo

Music: Mitrabhanu Mohanty

Cast: Partha Sarathi Ray, Prakruti Mishra, Priyambada Ray and others

Genre: Drama, Romance

Running time: 90 minutes

Language: Odia

Note: Director Sambit Mohanty, who died shortly after filming, posthumously won a Rajat Kamal award for Best Screenplay (Dialogue).

Plot: The film tells the story of a girl named Arsi from Rourkela, India, who becomes a sex worker to survive. It explores topics of social alienation and industrialization, focusing more on ideas and actions rather than the characters.

The film begins and ends in a car. The male protagonist remains unnamed for the duration of the film.

Summary: Sudden industrialization and big scale mining activities in central-eastern India, in the twenty first century, has affected the socio-economic fabric of society which was earlier dependent on agriculture. People felt alienated due to the shift. A new meaning in life has to emerge. In this backdrop, a young man and a young woman cross each other's path accidentally, each searching for his/her identity. Their journey starts on the ever expanding ROAD. The moving car becomes a temporary home away from the real home which never is anymore. The ROAD however apparently seems to be the ROAD of lies and betrayal. Both the characters are looking for freedom. Is it escape from REALITY ? Or is it only a DREAM ? Hello Arsi delves into these themes and tries to conjure a new meaning through the inner reflections of the two nameless travellers. [IMDB]

Awards:

65th National Film Awards (2018)