They came from vastly different worlds—a 30-year-old former Civil Services aspirant and a 50-year-old homemaker. But a shared passion for storytelling, ignited at a filmmaking workshop, has led Arjun Krish and Ria Dinesh to the pinnacle of state recognition. Their short film, F for Freedom, has won the award for Best Telefilm at the 33rd Kerala State Television Awards.
The film, which tells the story of a dysfunctional family through the eyes of a homemaker, has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike for its sensitive exploration of individuality, alienation, patriarchy, and sexuality.
An Unlikely Partnership
The duo’s journey began in 2021 at a filmmaking workshop hosted by actor-director Soumya Sadanandan. During a team exercise, Arjun and Ria bonded and made their first short film together.
Arjun, a cinephile from childhood, had taken a non-traditional path to cinema. After completing a post-graduation in engineering, he appeared for the UPSC exams, even reaching the interview stage. He was working at a coaching centre when the pandemic hit.
“During the pandemic, like many others, I started exploring alternate passions. I realised that I enjoyed writing and direction. However, I did not have the means to join a film school,” Arjun recalls.
Ria, now settled in Navi Mumbai, had a different background. She enjoyed scripting skits for Kerala Samajam, a socio-cultural organisation for Malayalis. “I, too, did not have a background in cinema. But after scripting a few plays, I thought of learning more, and that’s how I enrolled for the workshop. Once I reached there, I realised I was the oldest person there,” she says with a laugh.
Arjun adds warmly, “Even though Ria chechi was older than the rest of the participants, she was the most enthusiastic person at the camp.”
A Story Rooted in Personal Experience
F for Freedom has autobiographical elements drawn from Ria’s life. Like the film’s protagonist, Gauri Shyama, Ria was a classical dancer who left her profession after marrying at the age of 20.
“My children are still in awe of the fact that I made a short film,” she shares.
The protagonist, Gauri, is a classical dancer-turned-homemaker, a wife and mother of two, played by Laya Simpson. The film explores her inner world and the unspoken tensions within her family.
Overcoming Challenges
With no industry contacts, assembling the cast and crew was a significant hurdle.
“For the lead role, we were looking for someone young who knew classical dance. We reached out to Laya via social media, and through her, we discovered actor Sanju Sanichen (of Kerala Crime Files fame), who plays the son’s role. The rest of the cast are our friends,” Arjun explains. The crew was assembled similarly, with most members being friends of their cinematographer, Puneet Mohan, from his film school days.
A Doubly Special Win
The film’s success was amplified when veteran dubbing artist Sreeja Ravi won the award for Best Dubbing Artist for lending her voice to the character of Gauri.
“After she saw the first cut of the film, we asked her to suggest someone suitable for the project. Even though we tried other artists, none was apt for the character. Later, she dubbed for a few scenes, which worked for both of us. More than our work getting recognised, we are happy that she won an award too,” says Arjun.
Just the Beginning
For Arjun and Ria, this award is a validation of their unconventional path and a launchpad for the future. They have started their own banner, 10Degree N Dreams Studio, with a mission to promote upcoming talent.
Arjun, who is currently working in a production house’s writers’ room, believes this is just the beginning. Their story is a testament to the idea that passion, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn can bloom at any age and from any background.
