Support Indie Film- What's Up Boss, Post-Prod & FilmFest Run

WORKING TITLE:

“WHAT’S UP BOSS?”

LOGLINE:

In the intricate maze of corporate dynamics, a close-knit circle of friends becomes consumed by curiosity, only to uncover truths that shake them to their core.

GENRE:

Mystery, Drama

WHY IT MATTERS:

The film delves into the hazy intersections of privacy, judgment, and societal boundaries. It challenges viewers to confront questions about the right to privacy, the consequences of passing judgment, and how society draws its moral lines.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT:

What's Up Boss? is a provocative exploration of ethical dilemmas within the blurred lines of privacy, judgment, and societal boundaries. Set in the fast-paced world of a multinational corporate office, the story navigates the intricate dynamics of four friends, each embodying distinct quirks and viewpoints. Their interactions invite the audience to step into the narrative as a silent fifth member, prompting questions about morality without delivering definitive answers.

Embracing ambiguity, the film resists clear resolutions, instead inviting viewers to wrestle with their own interpretations—sparking introspection that lingers well beyond the final frame. By adopting a cinematographic style that intimately tracks the perspectives of the four protagonists, What's Up Boss? mirrors the way personal biases shape our understanding of the world, subtly asking whether we are ever truly objective.

The production design employs color as both a psychological and emotional guide, transcending realism to visually reflect the characters' inner states. These artistic choices emphasize the complex dance of harmony and conflict that defines human interaction, often influenced by unseen layers of perception and emotion.

At its heart, What's Up Boss? offers a mirror to contemporary society, revealing the often overlooked consequences of unchecked curiosity, gossip, and the erosion of personal boundaries.

SUPPORT OUR VISION:

We’re looking for funding to bring this film to life. Your donations will cover the following costs:

As a gesture of appreciation the director will send personalized thank you notes through GoFundMe. If you'd like to become a part of the film, please get in touch with the production house via sending us an email.

SUPPORT BEYOND DONATIONS:

We understand that sometimes finances can be tight—trust us, as filmmakers, we know the feeling. If you'd still like to support us, sharing our campaign on social media and spreading the word to friends, family, and beyond would be a huge help. Your support in any form means the world to us, and we truly appreciate it!

SCOPE OF THE FILM:

Once the film is ready for viewing, it will be showcased at select film festivals worldwide over the course of about a year, focusing on Canada, the USA, India and parts of Europe—regions closely aligned with our crew’s background. As a supporter, if you’d like to see the film featured at a festival near you, feel free to reach out to the production house, Basement 38, and we’ll explore possible arrangements.

CAST

Aum Desai

Gungun Rathi

Leela Stone

Pratik Patel

Tanishk Rathore

CREW

Writer / Director - Leela Stone

Director of Photography - Moon Bohra

1st Assistant Director - Raj Kapadia

2nd Assistant Director - Amul Luniya

Production Designer - Nidhi Jarmanwala

1st Assistant Camera - Utsav Kachhadiya

Sound Mixer / Boom Operator - Mithra Madhyastha

Wardrobe Designer - Prachi Solanki

Make-up & Hair - Janu Prajapati

Data Technician - Revin Keshwani

BTS Camera - Jinkle Bhatt

Set Manager - Tanish Agrawal

Set Dresser - Harshita Narang

Lighting & Grip - Suman

Key Production Assistant - Darshan Kanthariya

Production Runners - Naman Khatuwala, Rishi Bahuguna, Vipul Agarwal, Krishna Panchal, Darshit Pandya

Post-Production:

Editor - Utsav Kacchadiya

Editing Supervisor - Vraj Kaniyawala

Sound Editing and SFX Programming - Ehsaas Dudhwala

Music Composition - Smmit Desai, Purva Surana

Colorist, VFX, Mix/Master - (TBD)

SPECIAL THANKS

Tarj Studio, Ayush Marodia, Manan Agravedi, Dhruv Vyas, Agam Sanghvi, Ragghav Katyal, Dhara Vanawala, Aayushi Jain, Alifiya Pattharwala, Keshmi Chevli, Nandini Gonawala, Yash Panchal

GET TO KNOW SOME KEY CREW:

LEELA STONE (Writer / Director)

Leela Stone, officially known as Binoy Pattharwala, is a filmmaker with a strong foundation in performance, having honed his craft at the University of Waterloo, where he studied Theatre and Performance from 2017 to 2021. His achievements culminated in receiving the prestigious Lloy Coutts Acting Award upon graduation.

During his time at university, Leela immersed himself in every aspect of production, gaining hands-on experience in lighting, sound, set design, wardrobe, and, most notably, acting. Working closely with the talented director Andy Houston on a digital livestream production for global audiences was a pivotal experience that deepened his passion for both acting and directing.

With a natural inclination towards cinema, Leela then immersed himself in the world of films and commercials, where he expanded his skill set and learned from experienced directors. The story for What's Up Boss? first emerged in 2019, and over the years, Leela's evolving understanding as a filmmaker shaped its unique treatment. His extended return to India provided the perfect platform to debut as a Writer and Director in a film. Back home, he assembled a team of passionate filmmakers to bring this nuanced narrative to life. With the shooting now complete, Leela is seeking patrons and supporters to help realize his vision through post-production and the distribution of What's Up Boss?

NIDHI JARMANWALA (Production Designer)

Nidhi Jarmanwala is an accomplished production designer whose work has significantly shaped the visual narratives of various films. She is responsible for creating the look and feel of a film, collaborating closely with directors to bring scripts to life through set design, props, and overall art direction. Her projects have been showcased at prestigious film festivals, gaining recognition for their distinctive visual storytelling.

As the production designer for the short film "What’s Up Boss?", Nidhi Jarmanwala played a pivotal role in crafting the project's visual identity within tight financial constraints. Her responsibilities encompassed designing and sourcing sets, props, and decor that aligned with the film's narrative and tone, all while creatively problem-solving from available locally sourced resources. She collaborated closely with the director and other departments to ensure a cohesive look that supported the story, demonstrating adaptability and resourcefulness throughout the production process. She remarks that working on this film was an amazing experience for her.

MOON BOHRA (Director of Photography/ Co-Director)

Moon is a self-taught filmmaker and cinematographer whose journey began seven years ago when he picked up a camera as a hobby, alongside exploring music and design. While some interests remained hobbies, film quickly became his passion. His foray into filmmaking began just before the onset of COVID-19, with quarantine serving as his film school. During this time, he immersed himself in learning cinematography and direction through online resources.

In November 2020, Moon had his first significant opportunity as a Chief AD on an independent feature film. He continued working in various roles, from production assistant in student shorts to Executive Producer in high-budget commercials. Simultaneously, he honed his cinematography skills, working on documentaries, creative commercials, and corporate films, cultivating a deep understanding of color, lighting, camera movement, and composition.

For this project, Moon collaborated closely with the director from pre-production, analyzing the script and developing the visual treatment. Embracing the constraints of a limited budget, he experimented with creative solutions, such as a make-shift bike rig. Combining his experience with a genuine commitment to his craft, Moon ensured the film met its creative demands while having fun along the way.

RAJ KAPADIA (1st Assistant Director / Co-Director)

Raj Kapadia is a filmmaker with a passion for storytelling, specializing in writing and directing. A graduate of Full Sail University with an MFA in Film Production, Raj has immersed himself in nearly every aspect of the filmmaking process. Over the course of his career, he has contributed to over 20 short films and ad films, taking on various roles that have enriched his understanding of the craft.

Raj’s previous work, Kanakam Padukam (Sandals of Gold), which he wrote and directed, was a major milestone in his career. The film’s success, winning 25 awards and being selected at 55 film festivals worldwide, highlighted his talent for crafting compelling narratives. This achievement solidified Raj’s reputation as a filmmaker with a unique voice and a keen eye for detail, qualities he continues to bring to each new project.

Raj’s most recent project, What's up, Boss?, saw him take on the dual roles of 1st Assistant Director and Co-Director. In this capacity, Raj played a crucial part in translating the Director's vision to the screen. He collaborated closely with the director to understand the thematic and visual goals of the film, then assisted with the implementation of these ideas through strategic cinematography and production techniques. His hands-on approach ensured a cohesive and impactful final product.