It’s rare to find a short film that is both convincing and compelling, but “Lakshmi,” a 35-minute short film, achieves just that. The film features the talented actress Padmaja Rao and newcomer Nalini Purohit in her first acting role.
Titled “Mother Promise,” the film revolves around the dream of Abhijit Purohit, who seeks to fulfill a promise to his mother. The essence of this story is conveyed with touching sincerity. Nalini Purohit (celebrating her 69th birthday) and Padmaja Rao deliver standout performances in this heartwarming and well-crafted short film, made with a modest budget of just Rs. 3.50 lakhs. Despite its brief runtime, this film leaves a lasting impression.
Abhijit Purohit, who has previously directed short films like “Hope” and “Rangi,” has created a special film that captures nostalgic moments of his mother, Nalini Purohit. The short film also beautifully showcases the tradition and culture of ‘Lakshmi Pooje,’ coincidentally released during the ‘Varamahalakshmi Festival.’ Abhijit, a determined and passionate filmmaker, has worked behind the camera for 11 episodes of Bigg Boss and on the TV serial “Arundhati” during his 15-year journey. The idea for this film came to him while he was at Kuvempu House. The film reflects on the immense sacrifices mothers make, often receiving little in return.
The film was shot over three days near Kanakapura, and Abhijit Purohit expresses deep gratitude to Padmaja Rao for her acceptance, guidance, and outstanding performance.
The story is based on the true experiences of Abhijit’s mother, with veteran actress Padmaja Rao portraying Lakshmi Kambha. The film tenderly narrates the emotional bond between 68-year-old Nalini Purohit and her ancestral home, Lakshmi Kamba. The heartfelt conversations between them are poignantly captured by Abhijit, who serves as the film’s director and producer.
In the story, Nalini’s son decides to demolish the ancestral house to build a storage facility. During her final visit to the house, Nalini encounters a mysterious woman in the kitchen who reveals events unknown to Nalini. The identity of this woman and how this encounter changes Nalini’s life form the crux of the short film “Lakshmi.”
Padmaja Rao shared that when Abhi narrated the story to her, she was drawn to the themes of mother-son love, the emotional depth of the story, and the inspiration to direct a film. She realized that money isn’t always the most important thing.
At the film’s premiere, Nalini Purohit’s eyes filled with joy, reflecting her pride in her son’s efforts to fulfill his dream.
Abhijit Purohit not only wrote the story, screenplay, and dialogues but also directed and edited the film. The film’s music is composed by Pranav Iyengar, with lyrics by Sneha Teggihal.
The cast of “Lakshmi” includes veteran actress Padmaja Rao, Nalini Purohit, Master Ved Purohit, Sarada Jadugar, Rama Rao, M.R. Kamala, Baby Tanishka Gowda, Baby Trishika Gowda, Deepti Purohit, Abhijit Purohit, and L.D. Venkatanarayanacharya Swami.
