Pune-based filmmaker Prathamesh KriSang’s debut short film One Last Question wins Best Film Award and Best Actors award, along with a special mention as a ‘Must Watch Film’ at the 5th Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival in New Delhi on  April 30, 2015.

On May 1, Prathamesh KriSang also won the “Golden Palm Award” at the Prestigious 10th Mexico International Film Festival that took place at Rosarito Beach in Baja California, Mexico.

The story of One Last Question revolves around four   friends in Assam who are inspired to join a militant outfit.  Speaking about the movie KriSang says, “It began on a morning of July 2013. I was reading a blog by my   friend Manjit Nath from whose life the story is inspired. I was fascinated by his story and I immediately  decided to make a film out of it. It revolves around four friends in a small village of Assam, in 1998, who   end up getting involved with the extremist militant outfit ULFA in all their innocence. However, one of   the boy’s father guides the protagonist through the brighter path. Though I had never been to Assam, the patriot in me wanted to make the film badly.”

Bored with making impromptu short films that would never make it and working on other film sets which never challenged him beyond his potential, he decided it’s time to take a leap of faith. As his crew can recall, they decided to pack and leave for Assam, planning to come back after fifteen days of shooting.  Manjit Nath, on whose life story the film is based, at that time was studying Public Policy at the University of Oxford. With few films highlighting the North East, the 30 minute film is a brave attempt by the Pune lad and his incredibly dedicated team. The film got noticed by two legendary names in the industry: actor Adil Hussain and theater director Shukracharya Rabha.

KriSang shares, “It was a noble gesture by these artistes to be associated with the film. After an interaction with Sukracharya Rabha, I ended up getting his assistance for our project. He has an art institute in Agia, Assam where we were shooting. He helped us to get Adil Hussain involved as well. Adil Hussain liked and decided to give us a day’s time; we ended up shooting for two days with him. It was a great experience for us youngsters.”

As circumstances rapidly changed along with the scope of the film, it became imminent that they were going to crumble under the heap of expenses.  70% of the movie was completed and the crucial 30%, which included remaining shoot and post- production, was yet to be completed due to shortage of funds. KriSang knew that they couldn’t complete the film with what they had. Producers were not an option. KriSang and his team successfully raised Rs 5 lakh to complete the film through crowdfunding.

Speaking about receiving an award, KriSang says, “After blood, sweat and tears of almost two years, it feels incredible to win our first ever awards on the day when the father of Indian Cinema,  Dadasaheb Phalke was born. To top it up, this was my first film ever, the first screening ever and the first award ever. And by the time I reached my mailbox, another mail was waiting about news of  winning “Golden Palm Award” at the prestigious 10th Mexico International Film Festival 2015 as “Best First-Time Filmmaker”. The important thing is, this film needs to be highlighted and be seen by as many people as possible. We are planning to submit it to more festivals this year. Fingers crossed. Our objective is to reach out to as many people as possible. Though winning an award always feels good and instills hope to keep pushing hard and keep making films in such stiff competition”

On asking about the film to the Festival Director of 5th DSPFF, Mr. Rambhul Singh said “Under-current of such highly sensitive & controversial issue flowing throughout the movie; like blood in human body etc. the story is presented without being insensitive & controversial. Hats-off to the first time director, Prathamesh KriSang & the makers”.

The film has also bagged an official selection at Kinolub Film Festival that will take place in Krakow, Poland. This will be the European Premiere of the film.