Director's Note

Making this film has been a cathartic process and also a realization of one's own shortcomings.

We are all so caught up in the whirligig of our careers, relationships and life in general that we have forgotten to pause and look at the person next to us - at an airport or café or on the streets - or for that matter even paused to see ourselves. A line in this film's song sums it up tragically - 'Everyone is so distant nowadays; one's own shadow seems a stranger'.

So it's no surprise that we hardly know or care about those who are stigmatised and marginalized - a transsexual, a commercial sex worker or just a street sweeper outside our house. We know nothing about them, apart from stereotypical notions.

We have tried, in this film, to give a voice to some of the people ignored by the society or misunderstood by us around. We felt it was perhaps time to listen to them, peep into their world of tears and trauma and discover their happiness and hopes.

This film is certainly made with a purpose - of bringing some of the stories that we have not cared to stop by and look, into focus. It is not a bugle call for action, but just a soft reminder to pause and reflect and make an effort to understand.

Maybe we can all wipe a tear, hold a hand… or maybe write the next 68 Pages.

~ Sridhar Rangayan, 2007


Producer's Note

The Humsafar Trust is an NGO working for the cause of HIV positive people from the marginalized groups. We run three clinics in Mumbai and Thane that provide facilities of free HIV testing and care, support and treatment facilities to HIV positive people.

Our clinics have conducted more than 12,500 HIV tests in the last seven years and more than 2,000 of the reports have tested HIV positive. Our work with the marginalized communities, their voices, their stigma and discrimination need to be brought out to the world and it was time their stories were told.

Our organization with support from department for International Development (DFID) - UK Govt has produced this film which deals with the issues of stigma and discrimination faced by HIV positive people from marginalized groups.

This film has been made as an advocacy effort to support National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in National AIDS Control Programme - Phase III. In Phase III of the national programme it has been decided that the female sex workers, intravenous drug users, homosexuals and transgender will be considered core group and HIV projects will start up at a rapid scale in the next five years with these groups.

In the next five years of NACP-III, our film will be screened all over the country to various people who affect the lives of the HIV positive people and general populations and will make an effort to bring a change in the attitude of the people towards people living with HIV.

~ Vivek Anand, 2007
{ Vivek Anand is also CEO of The Humsafar Trust}

>> Synopsis

>> Cast & Crew

>> Screenings

>> Audience Reactions

>> Press

>> Production Notes

>> Contact Us

Support Us


You can support by:

>> Spreading the word

>> Writing to us with your feedback

>> Arrange Screenings

>> Make a Donation

Sang Mere Touring Festival
June ~ August, 2008
India

Check out about screenings
in your own city