Register Now
Register Now

About IIHS Screens

Discover new cinematic worlds and connect with fellow film enthusiasts at IIHS Screens. This monthly series at IIHS Bengaluru City Campus in Sadashivanagar explores diverse films and sparks lively conversations about cinema.
For the April edition, we present Photo, a Kannada-language slice-of-life drama.

We will also host a special post-screening discussion with the the filmmaker Utsav Gonawar.

Film Synopsis

Young Durgya dreams of a photo in front of Bengaluru’s Vidhana Soudha, a symbol of power and progress. His father, a daily wage labourer, promises to make it happen. But when a sudden nationwide lockdown is announced, they, like millions, are left stranded. With no transport, they set out on foot, walking 450 km back to Raichur, their hometown.

Their journey—marked by exhaustion, hunger, and an indifferent system—is not dramatised but observed with quiet intensity. Photo is a stark look at inequality, letting its restrained storytelling and powerful visuals speak for themselves.

About the Director

Utsav Gonwar is an emerging Indian filmmaker known for his poignant storytelling and visual artistry. Before stepping into direction, he worked as a writer and assistant director, honing his craft in narrative filmmaking.He is a director at Masari Talkies, a production company that brings meaningful narratives to the screen.
Photo marks his debut as a director, establishing him as a distinct voice in contemporary Kannada cinema.

URBAN LENS

Past Conversations

On Practice: Ratheesh Radhakrishnan in conversation with Rajeev Ravi​

Trisha Gupta in conversation with Girish Kasaravalli

Dibakar Banerjee in conversation with Ranjani Mazumdar

Ramana Dumpala in conversation with Zohrab Reys Gamat

Gautam Bhan in conversation with Paromita Vohra

Gautam Bhan in Conversation with Anand Patwardhan

Shabani Hassanwalia in conversation with Pushpa Rawat & Ankur Rawat

The Future of Documentary Practice in the Digital Age: A Funder's View