The Story of Yuvraj and Shahajahan (2024)

Marathi | HDV | 25 min | Short Film | 2024

Produced by - Santosh Ram

Story, Screenplay & Directed By – Santosh Ram

Produced By - Santosh Ram

Film Awards –
Best Director of the Festival at 15th Pune Short Film Festival 2025.
Honorable Mention at Caravan International Film Festival 2025.
Best Critics Award at 14th International Short Film Festival Surat ,2025.
Best Indian Short Film at Thilsri International Film Festival 2025.
**Special Mention Award – Best LGBTQ Indian Gay Film at the Colors of Love – Queer Film Festival 2026.**

Film Festival Selection –

19th Tasveer Film Festival 2024 , Seattle, United States , October 19, 2024, World Premiere , Official Competition Selection
55th INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OF INDIA , 2024 Goa
India ,November 20, 2024 ,Indian Premiere ,Film Bazar, Viewing Room
3rd Florida South Asian Film Festival Florida , United States. December 27, 2024 ,Official Selection
7th New Jersey Indian And International Film Festival (NJIIFF) New Jersey ,United States ,December 28, 2024 ,Official Selection
13th Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival Chennai. India ,February 21, 2025 ,Official Selection
16th KASHISH Pride Film Festival , Mumbai. India ,June 4 -8, 2025 Official Selection
15th Pune Short Film Festival 2025 , Pune
Kaduna international film festival 2025 , Nigeria
22nd Indian Film Festival Stuttgart 2025, Germany.
Reel Desires: Chennai International Queer Film Festival 2025.
16th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF) 2025.
28th Social Justice Film Festival Chennai , 2025
𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗺 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 – 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Thrissur, India, Kerala .
𝟑𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐊𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 , 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.
𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 (𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚) 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.
𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 (𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚) 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.
𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗺 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 – 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻Thrissur, India, Kerala .
Northeast International Documentary and Film Fest (NIDFF) Guwahati 2025.
Kaduna international film festival 2025 , Nigeria.
Reel Desires: Chennai International Queer Film Festival 2025
2nd edition of Abhijaat International Short Film Festival Latur, 2025.
Kalaburgi International Film Festival 2026.
Kala Ghoda Film Festival 2026.
Colors of Love – Queer Film Festival 2026.
6th Positively Different Short Film Festival , Greece 2026.
15th South Asian Film Festival of Montréal – SAFFM 2026.

Synopsis–

Yuvraj, a young village boy feels drawn to bangle seller, Shahjahan, They Meet in a secluded place. They share their stories with each other. Yuvraj and Shahjahan lead a duel life in a society that detests homosexuality. They depart on the note of meeting again.

Director’s Statement –

Growing up in a rural village, I was always acutely aware of the unspoken rules that governed our lives. It was a world where tradition held strong, and any deviation from the norm was met with swift judgment and ostracism. As a filmmaker, I have long been drawn to stories that challenge these conventions and give voice to the marginalised. This film, inspired by true events and my own childhood observations, is a deeply personal exploration of love, identity, and societal prejudice.

In a society that condemns homosexuality, the secret meetings between Yuvraj, a young village boy, and Shahjahan, a bangle seller, are acts of profound courage.
Their bond, forged in the quiet corners of their world, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the universal quest for connection. Through their story, I aim to shed light on the dual lives many are forced to lead and the silent suffering that often accompanies forbidden love.One of the most striking lessons from my childhood was the ease with which blame was assigned to others for the hardships we faced.Through Yuvraj and Shahjahan’s journey, I want to challenge this mindset and encourage viewers to look inward, questioning their own biases and preconceptions.This film is not just a story of forbidden love; it is a call for compassion and a plea for a more inclusive society. By bringing these hidden lives into the light, I hope to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities of human identity and the importance of acceptance.It is my hope that this film will resonate with audiences, sparking conversations and promoting a more empathetic and inclusive view of the world. Yuvraj and Shahjahan’s story is one of many, and it is my honor to bring it to the screen .

Cast-

Yuvraj - Rahul Biradar
Shahajahan- Vinay Bhagat
Yuvaraj’s Father – Vivek Holsambre
Patil’s Wife – Anjali Jadhav
Patil – Rajkumar Munde
Banda – Ram Surnar
Maharaj – Shesharao N. Phawde
Villager – Laxman Biradar

Crew-
  Story , Screenplay & Directed By – Santosh Ram
  Produced By – Santosh Ram
  Executive Producer– Atul Balaji Marewad
  Editor – Yogesh Bhagwat
Cinematography-Arjun Balkrishnan
  Music- Sudhanshu Andhorikar
  Sound Design – Satish Dadas
Art – Bharat Gumnar , Ram Surnar

Shooting format: 4k
Camera: Black Magic URSA
Lenses: Samyoung lens (35-50-85-135)

Screening format: DCP
Sound: Stereo
Ratio: 2.35:1 Scope
Original version: Marathi
Subtitled in: English
Running time: 25 min
Year: 2024

Fiction – 25 min – Colour – 2024– INDIA