Only Indian Film to Reach the Finals of the Los Angeles Independent Short Awards
Lucknow — The thought-provoking short film Ghuspethiya Kaun, which raises a powerful voice on the issue of man–animal conflict, has made India proud by securing a place in the final round of the Los Angeles Independent Short Awards. The competition features entries from 25 countries, and Ghuspethiya Kaun is the only Indian film to have reached the finals this year.
The film was also honoured at the Lucknow Short Film Festival, where acclaimed actress Huma Qureshi and actor Sunny Singh presented it with the Best Script (Critics’ Choice) Award on Sunday evening. The film is produced by Sameer and Nehi Agarwal, written by Sudhir Mishra, and directed by Dheeraj Bhatnagar.
Inspired by a real-life incident in which a leopard entered a Ghaziabad courtroom, Ghuspethiya Kaun explores the blurred boundaries between human and animal territories. The film features a unique character — a leopard who can speak the human language — brought to life through animation designed by noted animation expert Rajeev Dwivedi. Dwivedi is well known for his pioneering work in digitally colourising classic black-and-white films such as Mughal-e-Azam.
Each month, the Independent Short Awards selects a handful of outstanding films from hundreds of entries worldwide. These shortlisted films later compete for the annual global awards, scheduled to take place next year in Los Angeles.
Speaking about the film’s message, writer Sudhir Mishra said, “Across India, rapid deforestation and the shrinking of buffer zones in the name of development are intensifying the problem of man–animal conflict. This confrontation harms both humans and wildlife — and ultimately threatens the entire ecosystem. Even urban monkey troubles are a reflection of the same issue — the depletion of fruit-bearing trees and unplanned city expansion.”
Mishra added that the film poses an important question: Who is the real intruder — the animal or the human?
Ghuspethiya Kaun premiered on August 10 this year, in a special screening attended by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Social Welfare Minister Aseem Arun. Both leaders praised the film for highlighting an urgent environmental issue with creative sensitivity.
Veteran theatre and film personalities Suryamohan Kulshrestha, Anil Rastogi, and Atul Tiwari lauded the film for being more than just a story about a leopard — calling it a reflection of the struggles of all beings deprived of their rightful space in nature and society.
The film also stars Mridula Bhardwaj, Gunjan Jain, and historian Dr. Ravi Bhatt, all renowned figures from Lucknow’s vibrant theatre scene.
During the Lucknow Short Film Festival, held at the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the film’s screening drew an enthusiastic response from the audience. Festival organisers — Renuka Tandon (founder of Amren Foundation), Vandana Agarwal, and actor Gaurav Dwivedi — described Ghuspethiya Kaun as a “purposeful and socially conscious film” that compels viewers to reflect on humanity’s relationship with nature.
