Mumbai, India — July 13, 2026 – Production Company “hallucinogen” has released the official trailer for his short film, The Dead Sing for the Living, directed by Rahul Bhushan, following the film’s Official Selection at the Regina International Film Festival & Awards (RIFFA), Canada.

Conceived as an act of remembrance, The Dead Sing for the Living brings together Palestinian poet and musician Shadi Zaqtan.

Structured as a ritual of remembrance, the film unfolds through a haunting invocation of names and a poetic catalogue of destruction: homes, hospitals, schools, trees, birds and dreams.

Shot on ARRI 16mm, the film embraces the physicality of celluloid as both an aesthetic choice and a metaphor. Every grain, scratch and imperfection becomes part of an archive resisting erasure.

The film features original music by Tajdar Junaid, original artwork by artist and activist Orijit Sen, and is presented by Payal Kapadia.

The newly released trailer offers the first public glimpse into the film’s visual language ahead of its international festival journey.

Director, Rahul Bhushan

The film arrives amid a continuing global conversation on Palestine, one that has prompted artists and cultural figures including Javier Bardem, Greta Thunberg, Susan Sarandon, Annie Lennox, Brian Eno, Roger Waters, Peter Gabriel, Bella Hadid, Tilda Swinton, Steve Coogan, Charles Dance, Ralph Fiennes, Mark Ruffalo, Dua Lipa, Macklemore, Massive Attack, Ken Loach, Mike Leigh, Miriam Margolyes and many others, to speak publicly about the human cost of this war.

Trailer:

https://www.thedeadsingfortheliving.com/official-trailer

Bangalore, India – September 2025: Independent filmmaker Ritopriyo Saha’s short film “Chhoti Baarish (Little Rain)”continues its successful run on the global festival circuit, securing its 9th official selection at the prestigious International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto 2025, scheduled for October 9–19, 2025.

IFFSA Toronto, celebrating its 14th edition, is one of the largest South Asian film festivals in North America, featuring over 100 premieres and 40 events this year. Alongside Berlinale-acclaimed Shadowbox starring Tillotama Shome, Roya Sadat’s Sima’s Song, Eisha Marjara’s Calorie, Natesh Hegde’s Tiger’s Pond, and Pradipta Bhattacharyya’s The Slow Man and His Raft, Saha’s Chhoti Baarish will represent a fresh, authentic voice from India.

Upcoming Film Festival Selections (Official Catalog Links) :-

  1. https://iffsatoronto.com/movie/little-rain/
  2. https://miniboxoffice.com/indian-cine-film-festival/catalogue-detail.php?id=NTQ1

A Poetic Short Film with Universal Resonance

Set in a remote Indian village with lush meadows and grazing cattle, Chhoti Baarish (Little Rain) tells the story of a young boy who longs to dance in the rain, despite constant scolding. With its lyrical tone and visual simplicity, the film reflects the innocence and instinctive artistry of childhood.

“This film was my attempt to preserve a child’s instinctive joy — singing before speaking, dancing before walking,” says Ritopriyo Saha, the writer-director. “It reminds us that every child is born an artist, until society gives them a script and calls it ‘growing up’.”

The short film has already been recognized at Bali International Film Festival (BALINALE 2025), Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF 2025), Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF 2025) and other national and international platforms, continuing to build acclaim.

Published Media Links :-

  1. Newswire Online – https://www.newswireonline.com/chhoti-baarish-by-ritopriyo-saha-trippink-talkies-to-screen-at-bangalore-shorts-film-festival-2025-with-7-film-festival-selections-and-counting/
  2. PR.com – https://www.pr.com/press-release/941363
  3. Mini Box Office – https://youtu.be/kjc5ytASvcE?si=BF2ETX0_J5tgzRdA

Expanding into Feature Films — Three Projects in Development

Building on the success of Chhoti Baarish, Ritopriyo Saha is preparing to pitch three upcoming feature film projects that explore emotional struggles within the Indian cultural landscape:

  1. Teen Yaari (Three Wild Kids)

A raw, coming-of-age story about three emotionally scarred teenagers — Zakir, Dev, and Masoom — who bond over their troubled family lives and decide to run away from their rural village. The film confronts trauma, friendship, and the fragile dreams of youth.

  1. May I Love U?

A near-future drama set in 2050, revolving around Reva, a single mother and photographer, who encounters Mayur, a super-intelligent humanoid AI with a passion for art, cinema, and love. Blending romance with sci-fi, the story explores loneliness, human-AI intimacy, and the healing of past wounds.

  1. Moh Maya Mukti

An A.I. animated fantasy-action-thriller following Maya, a warrior girl on a mystical journey of self-discovery, guided by a mythical tree named Mukti. Combining Indian mythology with visual spectacle, the project aims to push A.I. animation into the global spotlight.

Each project builds on Saha’s vision of exploring human emotions, social realities, and cultural identity through powerful, cinematic storytelling.

Industry Recognition & Upcoming Pitch

With Chhoti Baarish opening doors internationally, Saha will also present his feature film pitches at upcoming industry platforms, seeking independent producers, co-production partners, and global investors to bring these projects to life.

Film Market Pitch Video – https://youtu.be/WiRBnFRth0U?si=IQsgvH3N7OFvfPGT

About the Director

Ritopriyo Saha is an Indian screenwriter and film director whose stories focus on Indian characters, culture, and sensibilities while exploring human emotional struggles in a developing nation. With two independent short films and several ambitious feature projects, he is quickly establishing himself as an emerging voice in Indian independent cinema.

FilmFreeway Biography – https://filmfreeway.com/trippinktalkies

Media Contact

Name: Ritopriyo Saha
Email: trippinktalkies@gmail.com
Phone: +91-9748298107
City: Bangalore, India