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Tag: Kaushambi Bhatt

  • Hellaro finds its hindi voice and beats the drum for freedom

    Hellaro finds its hindi voice and beats the drum for freedom

    MUMBAI: Who says revolutions can’t begin with a dhol beat? Shemaroome is striking a powerful chord with the Hindi release of Hellaro, the first-ever Gujarati film to win the National Award for Best Feature Film. By dubbing the landmark film for Hindi-speaking audiences, the platform is turning up the volume on stories that celebrate silent strength and cultural rebellion across borders and beyond language.

    Directed by Abhishek Shah, Hellaro isn’t just a period drama set in the scorching salt flats of Kutch, it’s a fiery feminist anthem disguised as a folk tale. The film follows a group of women from a repressive village whose monotonous lives are disrupted when a drummer appears from the desert. What begins as stolen dance sessions away from watchful eyes spirals into a full-blown revolt not with weapons, but with rhythm, resilience, and raw courage.

    The ensemble cast including Shraddha Dangar, Kaushambi Bhatt, Niilam Paanchal, and Brinda Trivedi brings an electric energy to the screen. So compelling were their performances that 13 lead actresses received a Special Jury Award, a rare collective honour that underscored the film’s commitment to sisterhood over stardom.

    Sharing her thoughts on the film’s Hindi release, actress Shraddha Dangar said, “Hellaro has always been more than just a film, it’s a reflection of unheard voices and untold stories that exist in the quiet corners of our society. Bringing it to life meant building a world from the ground up, both emotionally and physically, in the heart of the desert. Now, with its Hindi release on ShemarooMe, I’m deeply moved that this story can reach a broader audience globally. I hope it stirs something in every viewer questions, courage, and above all, a deeper understanding of what it means to be free.”

    More than just a nod to cultural representation, this move by Shemaroome is part of a broader push to bridge the linguistic divide in Indian entertainment. By making powerful regional cinema accessible in Hindi, platforms like ShemarooMe are letting stories dance freely across state lines and into the hearts of millions.

    Hellaro is now streaming in both Hindi and Gujarati exclusively on Shemaroome because freedom, like music, should never be lost in translation.
     

  • Gujarati film Hellaro now streaming on ShemarooMe

    Gujarati film Hellaro now streaming on ShemarooMe

    Mumbai: The acclaimed Gujarati film Hellaro, directed by Abhishek Shah, is streaming on ShemarooMe from 2 October 2024, coinciding with Navratri. It made history as the first Gujarati movie to win the National Award for best feature film, telling a powerful story of women’s resilience and transformation in a repressive society.

    Since its debut, Hellaro has gained attention at various film festivals and won multiple awards, including the National Film Awards’ special jury Award for its 13 leading women and a special mention at IFFI for its music and choreography.

    The cast includes Shraddha Dangar, Kaushambi Bhatt, Niilam Paanchal, and others. The film follows a group of suppressed women in Kutch whose lives change after meeting a stranger with a dhol in the desert, leading them on a journey of freedom and self-discovery.

    Director Abhishek Shah reflects on this remarkable journey: “Creating Hellaro has been a deeply personal experience for me and the entire team. We have seen how the film resonates with audiences, shedding light on the struggles women face in our society. Winning Best Film National Award for the first time for a Gujarati language is an incredible honor, but I truly hope ‘Hellaro’ inspires meaningful conversations about empowerment and resilience. It wasn’t easy to bring this story to life; we built an entire village in a barren landscape, complete with fifteen traditional bhungas, a chowk, and a temple—something you can still see on Google Maps!”

    Shraddha Dangar expressed her excitement about the film coming on ShemarooMe: “Hellaro is a very special movie for me. As it streams on ShemarooMe, we’re thrilled for fans in India and around the world to experience the powerful performances and vibrant storytelling that make our film so special. The movie beautifully used Garba to represent women’s journey from suppression to liberty in a patriarchal society. We practiced Garba barefoot in the scorching sands of Kutch, but the love we received from the audience made it all worthwhile. Since Hellaro, I’ve encountered many inspiring stories that have motivated me to take a stand. Playing Manjhri transformed me; it awakened a strength within that encouraged me to draw courage from the incredible women around me. I feel empowered to advocate for change and share their stories, and I hope our film inspires others to do the same.”