Bringing Stories to Life, On Stage and Screen

"The Long Drive, beautifully captures the complexities of a mother-son relationship with an emotionally rich narrative. Adi (Aakash Prabhakar) and his mother (Sheeba Chaddha) navigate past tensions during a heartfelt car ride, blending moments of conflict, honesty, and healing. Prabhakar delivers a restrained yet moving performance, while Chaddha shines with grace and authenticity as a mother longing to reconnect. The one-setting approach enhances focus on the characters’ emotional journey, supported by a poignant score. This 12-minute short film is a tender exploration of reconciliation and familial bonds, leaving a lasting impression."

"I wouldn’t have learned this even in a year’s time, so I don’t think I can say anything beyond that. And the most important part is that it was joyful learning. I just loved each and every moment I spent here. For me, handling a camera was one of the most complicated things, and I never thought I’d be able to learn that in this life. I would like to thank all my friends who helped me feel comfortable here. And I think I’m leaving this place with a lot of friends. I’ve learned a lot here, and that learning will always stay with me."

"What I loved about the Filmmaking 101 course was how it covered every stage of production. From scripting and acting to editing and more, we got to try our hands at every role, gaining hands-on experience throughout. The practical approach helped me truly understand the filmmaking process. It’s rare to find a workshop that gives you so much exposure in such a short time. I highly recommend it to anyone passionate about filmmaking."

"Stephen Belber’s Tape remains relevant today, despite its dated elements like tape recorders. Directed by Aakash Prabhakar, it unfolds in a tense Michigan motel room, where Vince (Prabhakar) confronts Jon (Nishank Verma) over a decade-old incident with Amy (Priti Shroff). Themes of memory, consent, and jealousy drive the dark humor-laden drama. Vince’s fiery energy and sharp verbal exchanges keep the narrative gripping. Prabhakar’s direction makes this twisty, dialogue-rich play a standout theatrical experience."

"I attended Here and Now’s Filmmaking 101 workshop, and it was an incredible experience. The three-day compact session covered every stage of filmmaking, from scripting to production, and could easily be expanded into individual sessions. The practical insights were invaluable for an enthusiastic filmmaker like me. This workshop is a fantastic starting point for anyone who wants to dive into filmmaking and create amazing projects. I’ve learned so much in just a short time!"

"I'm here with a group of 13 lovely people attending a session on making beautiful movies, organized by Aakash. This has been a truly transformative experience for someone like me, who had never looked at filmmaking before. From scriptwriting and storytelling to visualizing and editing, we covered every aspect of filmmaking. It was amazing to see our ideas take shape and come together as a beautiful final product. Thank you for making this session fun, educational, and thoroughly enjoyable."

"I'm attending an incredible filmmaking workshop by Here and Now Films at Zostel Panchgani. This extensive three-day workshop was much more than a basics course—it gave us a deep dive into every element of filmmaking. We explored everything from scripting to editing and understood how these aspects align to create the magic we see on screen. The hands-on approach made it all worth it, and I truly loved every moment of this enriching experience."

"Freddie's Piano is an emotional movie that portrays siblings affection quite well. Pranav and Aakash lived their characters as real brothers. Kudos to them."

"This workshop taught me that cinema isn’t just what you see on the camera but also everything that goes on behind it. It opened my eyes to the immense effort, creativity, and technical skills that go into making a film. From scripting to shooting, every step was an insightful journey. Learning about the unseen magic behind the scenes has completely changed the way I view films and appreciate storytelling."

"This filmmaking workshop has been an extraordinary learning experience for me. We covered everything from scriptwriting and editing to lighting and music, diving into the entire filmmaking process step by step. Each session added a new layer to my understanding, making this journey both engaging and practical. I walked away with a wealth of knowledge and skills that I’m excited to apply in my own projects. Truly, this was a great experience!"

"It is a very sweet and well-made film. The film is shot well, the music is nice, the story is simple and all the actors have played their parts very naturally. I liked how it ended too. It was realistic. Some scenes were extremely emotional while some were fun and they made me smile. At points, I really felt like going and giving Aden and Freddie a tight hug. They were both very endearing to watch. If you like simple, honest, and heartwarming films you'll love this one. Looking forward to what this team makes and creates in the future."

"Attending this filmmaking workshop at Zostel Panchgani has been a dream come true for a film buff like me. Though I’ve taken short courses and watched tutorials before, nothing compares to the practical knowledge and hands-on experience I gained here. From understanding the process of filmmaking to learning every intricate detail, this workshop has been eye-opening. Thanks to Here and Now, I now appreciate filmmaking on an entirely new level."

"Freddie’s Piano a poetic narrative, rich in nuance and simplicity, much like good poetry. Set in Pondicherry’s charming small-town backdrop, it portrays deeply human characters, avoiding traditional protagonists or villains. Each scene is layered with emotion, akin to the French crepes and pink sauce pasta referenced in the story. The piano symbolizes longing and elusive desires, crafting a poignant exploration of meaning and fulfillment. As Pagedar aptly puts it, 'The journey matters more than the destination.'"

"It is, indeed, very rare to see siblings affection in our movies; that too to some extent with realistic touch. The actor director Aakash Prabhakar made it as realistic and simple as possible. I expect much interesting from the team in their next venture. All the best and good luck."