'Eelham' by Dhruva Harsh to open the 11th Kolkata International Children's film festival 2025

'Elham' garnered acclaim for its nuanced storytelling, remarkable performances, Prayagraj: Making its alma mater, Allahabad University , proud, acclaimed filmmaker Dhruva Harsh 's poignant film, 'Elham', was chosen as the opening film at the prestigious 11th Kolkata International Children's Film Festival , 2025. This distinction adds to Harsh's illustrious repertoire, following the success of his notable works: “Honourable Mention” (2015), “Harshit” (2018), and “Do I Exist: A Riddle” (2019), which earned him numerous accolades and success. A PhD holder in English from Allahabad University, Dhruva Harsh delivered lectures on cinema and screened his films at premier institutions, including Jamia Millia Islamia, JNU, Delhi, Banaras Hindu University, and his alma mater.

'Elham', a heart-warming narrative, explores the beautiful bond between Faizan, a young boy, and 'Dodu', a goat, set against the backdrop of Bakrid, beautifully captured by cinematographer Ankur Rai and music by producer and music director Vickey Prasad. The film delicately weaves themes of compassion, empathy, and selflessness, underscoring the significance of human-animal relationships. "We are thrilled to showcase 'Elham' as our opening film," said Shantanu Basu, Secretary of the 11th Kolkata International Children's Film Festival.



"This film embodies the creative spirit and innovation our festival promotes. Its universal themes will resonate deeply with our young audience." Dhruva Harsh expressed gratitude, saying, "We're excited to share 'Elham' with a new audience and kick-start the festival.

This recognition fuels our passion for storytelling and inspires us to create impactful films." 'Elham' garnered acclaim for its nuanced storytelling, remarkable performances, and technical excellence. Its international success, including screenings at the 24th Dhaka International Film Festival in Bangladesh, the 23rd Rainbow International Film Festival in the UK, and the International Film Festival of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, demonstrates Indian filmmakers' growing global recognition.

Dhruva Harsh is currently working on his documentary, “The Last Sketch”, based on the lives of hand-rickshaw pullers in Kolkata, which is also ready to hit the festival circuit. The 11th Kolkata International Children's Film Festival will take place from January 22-28 at Nandan-1. 'Elham' will screen on January 22 at 5 pm.

.