Beginning on October 2, 2024, ShemarooMe will serve as the unique digital home for the National Award-winning Gujarati masterpiece “Hellaro,” which was directed by the gifted Abhishek Shah. This decision, which coincides perfectly with the Navratri celebrations, enables viewers in India and throughout the world to immerse themselves in a captivating story that honours female empowerment and resilience against the backdrop of a traditional civilisation. In addition to making history as the first Gujarati film to win the National Award for Best Feature Film, “Hellaro” has won hearts with its powerful depiction of women defying long-standing social conventions.
‘Hellaro’s’ journey from its birth to becoming a beacon of empowerment has been truly amazing. The video portrays a group of oppressed women from a Kutch hamlet in a lively way, highlighting their liberating encounter in the desert with a stranger holding a dhol. This contact is crucial as it sets them on a journey towards self-discovery and independence. Shraddha Dangar, Kaushambi Bhatt, and Niilam Paanchal are among the ensemble cast members of the movie that give strong performances that bring this story of transformation to life.
Director and Cast Reflect on the Film’s Impact
The visionary behind ‘Hellaro,’ Abhishek Shah, shared his personal connection with the project, stating, “Creating Hellaro has been a deeply personal experience for me and the entire team. We have seen how the film resonates with audiences, shedding light on the struggles women face in our society. Winning Best Film National Award for the first time for a Gujarati language is an incredible honor, but I truly hope ‘Hellaro’ inspires meaningful conversations about empowerment and resilience. It wasn’t easy to bring this story to life; we built an entire village in a barren landscape, complete with fifteen traditional bhungas, a chowk, and a temple—something you can still see on Google Maps!” The film’s devotion to honest narrative and painstaking attention to detail highlight its commitment to inspiring and engaging audiences.
Shraddha Dangar, portraying the character Manjhri, shared her exhilaration for the film’s streaming debut on ShemarooMe, expressing, “Hellaro is a very special movie for me. As it streams on ShemarooMe, we’re thrilled for fans in India and around the world to experience the powerful performances and vibrant storytelling that make our film so special. The movie beautifully used Garba to represent women’s journey from suppression to liberty in a patriarchal society. We practiced Garba barefoot in the scorching sands of Kutch, but the love we received from the audience made it all worthwhile. Since Hellaro, I’ve encountered many inspiring stories that have motivated me to take a stand. Playing Manjhri transformed me; it awakened a strength within that encouraged me to draw courage from the incredible women around me. I feel empowered to advocate for change and share their stories, and I hope our film inspires others to do the same.”
Awards and Recognitions
Beyond its rich narrative, ‘Hellaro’ has been praised internationally, winning a Special Jury Award for its thirteen leading ladies at esteemed film festivals and earning a Special Mention for its outstanding choreography, music, and vivid colours at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). These honours pay tribute to the movie’s artistic accomplishments as well as its contribution to igniting a conversation on gender and social standards.
‘Hellaro’ welcomes viewers to follow the adventure of its fearless female protagonists who dare to break stereotypes and forge their own paths as it enters the digital sphere on ShemarooMe. This movie inspires viewers everywhere to have important discussions about empowerment, independence, and resiliency. It also serves as a monument to the spirit of resistance and emancipation. Join “Hellaro” on ShemarooMe starting on October 2, 2024, and take part in this life-changing event.
Topics #AwardWinningFilm #HellaroOTT #OTTRelease #ShemarooMe
