Discovering A Dream: Rahul Razdan’s Journey to Filmmaking
Rahul Razdan had always harbored a dream of making films while pursuing an extensive career in architecture, business management, and the tech industry at notable companies like Satyam Computers and Tencent. Despite his divergent career path, his passion for storytelling remained undiminished.
At the age of 51, Razdan has finally realized his dream with the release of his first movie, an animated short titled Old Age Home, which has started collecting awards at film festivals worldwide. This short film, lasting just over two minutes, has garnered an audience award at the Boundless short-film festival in London and was a finalist in several categories at the prestigious Cannes World Film Festival.
The Heartwarming Tale of Old Age Home
The film stands out not just for its animation, but also for its poignant storyline set in an elderly home, where characters share their life experiences. The twist at the end reveals these characters are not people, but dogs in a shelter, adding a unique layer to its narrative.
“Drawing inspiration from my final year project in architecture school, I knew I wanted to pursue filmmaking, a field where the ideation-to-execution gap felt narrower,” Razdan reflects on his career shift. The real inspiration for Old Age Home came from a short story Razdan wrote, centered around themes of memory, ageing, and companionship, culminating in a creatively fascinating plot twist.
Razdan’s journey from a short story on his blog to a fully animated film was fueled by the lockdown’s solitude and a collaboration with Bakarmax, a Delhi-based animation studio. Together, they brought this touching narrative to life, making certain that the twist remained a secret until the story’s conclusion.
The project not only represents Razdan’s personal triumph but also serves as a reminder of the potential impact of animation in storytelling. “Animation isn’t just about the technical aspect; it’s also about weaving a compelling story, even on a tight budget,” states Sumit Kumar, founder of Bakarmax.
See the Complete Film Here: Watch Old Age Home
Continuing his work at Reliance Jio Messaging Services, Razdan is already contemplating his next storytelling venture, armed with the firm belief in the power of animation to bring intricate ideas to a wider audience, especially compelling stories with a twist.
