Director Kaushik Thakkar on his short film Condumb featuring Jayati Bhatia!

Director Kaushik Thakkar is gearing up for the release of his short film Condumb, starring Jayati Bhatia and Varsha Solanki. Wearing multiple hats as the film’s concept writer, producer, and director, Kaushik admits that balancing the various responsibilities was demanding, but ultimately rewarding.

“Managing multiple responsibilities was definitely challenging, but because the story was very close to my heart, it felt natural. As the concept writer, I knew exactly what message I wanted to convey. As a producer, I focused on ensuring that all resources, planning, and logistics were in place,” he said.

He further added, “As a director, my goal was to bring authenticity and realism to the screen. Having a dedicated team, including Jayati Bhatia, Varsha Solanki, Chirag Vora, and the entire crew, made the process smoother. Their support allowed me to balance these roles effectively and stay focused on the film’s vision. I must also acknowledge Janvi Doshi, Partner at Shreenathji Mediaworks, whose constant support and belief in meaningful storytelling played an important role throughout the journey.”

Speaking about the casting process, Kaushik shared, “When I narrated the concept to Jayati Bhatia, she immediately connected with the subject and agreed to be a part of the project. Her enthusiasm gave me a lot of confidence.”

“Since the film deals with a socially relevant issue, it required actors who could bring sincerity and depth to their performances. Varsha Solanki was also a perfect fit for the role, and together they helped bring the story to life in a very impactful manner,” he added.

Casting, according to him, was driven by instinct and a shared understanding of the film’s emotional core. “We shot the film across various locations in Mumbai, including several chawls, which added authenticity to the narrative. The real locations helped us capture the environment and emotions required for the story. We have also submitted the film to several film festivals across India and internationally.”

The decision to shoot on real locations was a conscious one, helping the film stay rooted in reality. Sharing details about the release, he said, “We are releasing Condumb on YouTube on June 4 so that it can reach the widest possible audience.”

“Since the film is based on a subject that concerns society at large, YouTube seemed like the ideal platform to maximize viewership and engagement. We hope people will watch the film, connect with its message, and become more aware of the consequences of such actions,” he added.

For Kaushik, accessibility is just as important as the message itself. Looking ahead, he shared the vision of the production house: “At Shreenathji Mediaworks, along with our Partner Janvi Doshi, we plan to continue creating meaningful content that is rooted in awareness, reality, and true stories. We want to tell stories that entertain but also leave audiences with something to think about.”

“Going forward, we aim to produce more short films and digital content that address important social issues and inspire conversations within society,” he concluded.