Behind The Bars l Short- Feature Documentary on Prison Reforms l Commissioned project as the Director of Photography and Editor

Susheel Mehta and his team at Argalian pictures took on multiple roles to ensure the success of the commissioned documentary centered on inmates serving life sentences in HP prisons. The Argalian Pictures crew was entrusted with overseeing the visual storytelling, capturing high-quality sound, managing on-set logistics, and delivering a polished final edit, ensuring that the project met its creative and technical goals, that successfully helped our client bag the first prize for this documentary in the film grant competition by National Human Rights Commission, India in yr 2018.

Case Study:

Director Devikanya commisioned Susheel Mehta, from Argalian Pictures as the Director of Photography (DOP) and editor for her ambitious documentary project centered on state prison reforms and the lives of inmates serving life sentences in model central prisons of Himachal Pradesh. The project came with a range of challenges, beginning with a novice director with very limited exposure to filmmaking, restricted timings within the prison, and the sensitive nature of working with inmates. On top of that, the lack of any pre-script work or shooting outline further complicated the whole process, leaving much of the creative take open to interpretation as every decision had to be made on the spot.  Furthermore, the strict time constraints for filming within the prison environment meant that every moment and interview had to be captured efficiently, requiring a high level of coordination and foresight. In light of these circumstances, Susheel Mehta, as the DOP, stepped up to take a pivotal role in guiding the visual storytelling, ensuring that the imagery remained both impactful and cohesive despite the limitations. With a minimal crew of just four people, Susheel Mehta meticulously managed each shot to ensure smooth and non-intrusive captures without causing distress to the inmates, maintaining the authenticity and delicate atmosphere of the prison environment.

Despite a constrained setting, the team worked swiftly and efficiently, carefully framing scenes that conveyed the gravity of the subject matter. Team’s ability to adapt to these conditions allowed for the documentary’s core themes of reform and human dignity to shine through in each frame.

During the editing phase, Susheel brought the project together by meticulously crafting a soundtrack that resonated with the documentary’s emotional undertones. The background music and color grading were carefully planned to align with the poignant and thought-provoking narrative, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The end result was a cohesive piece of work that not only captured the lives of lifers but also conveyed a powerful message on the need for reform.

Despite the obstacles, Argalian Pictures crew’s technical expertise, and the effective management of resources ensured the documentary provided an authentic and emotionally compelling portrayal of life in prison, making a profound impact on its audience. And thus, It was hardly a surprise that this poignant and engaging film went on to win first place in the NHRC, India’s Film Grant Competition.