Dhruva Harsh’s children’s film Elham was screened at Jagran Film Festival 2025, touching hearts with its story of innocence, faith, and compassion.
Dhruva Harsh
Film director and writer Dhruva Harsh’s acclaimed feature film Elham was screened at the 13th edition of the Jagran Film Festival (JFF) in Delhi on Sunday, September 7, 2025. The film was featured under the 'Little Lights' category, which is dedicated to children’s cinema. The special screening at Siri Fort Auditorium was a significant moment for Harsh, who shared a special connection with the audience.
"It's a moment of profound pride to be sharing my film with students from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan," Harsh stated. "Watching them engage with a story of innocence and faith feels like a personal homecoming. I believe that children's cinema must not just entertain, but also resonate with their own experiences, and it is humbling to see Elham achieve that."
A Story of Innocence and Empathy
Elham director Dhruva Harsh posing at Jagran Film Fest, Delhi on Sunday
Released in 2023, Elham (Revelation) tells the tender story of Faizan, a young boy from a modest Muslim family, who develops a strong bond with a goat brought home for Eid-al-Adha. For Faizan, the animal becomes more than a ritual sacrifice; it becomes a companion, a source of joy, and a reflection of love and compassion. As the festival approaches, the boy struggles between faith and emotion, eventually guided by a Sufi mystic.
Shot in the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh, Elham blends realism with sensitivity, capturing both rural life and universal themes of innocence, love, and sacrifice. Critics have described it as a refreshing addition to Indian children’s cinema. Anuj Kumar of The Hindu observed that the film "carries an old-world innocence often missing in contemporary children’s cinema," while other reviewers praised its visual depth and emotional honesty.
From Academia to the Director’s Chair
Born in the Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh, Dhruva Harsh pursued his education at the University of Allahabad, where he completed his master’s and PhD in English. His academic background and training in theatre under Prof. Sachin Tewari and Pravin Shekhar have heavily influenced his cinematic work, which often explores complex themes with a nuanced touch. The filmmaker is also an ICSSR fellow and is pursuing a post-doctorate from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Dhruva Harsh
Harsh’s filmography includes several notable works that highlight his versatility as a storyteller. His debut, Honourable Mention (2015), won the Best Screenplay award at the Rolling Reels International Film Festival in Hyderabad. The 2018 film Harshit, inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet, earned him the Best Director award at a festival in Pune. In 2019, with Do I Exist: A Riddle, Harsh ventured into metaphysical cinema, exploring the thin line between reality and illusion. The film traveled to several prestigious platforms, including international screenings in London and Dhaka, as well as national festivals in Kolkata and Mumbai. He also directed a poignant documentary, The Last Sketch (2020), focusing on the lives of hand-pulled rickshaw pullers in Kolkata.
A Global Story with a Local Heart
Elham has traveled extensively, gaining recognition on the international festival circuit. It premiered at the Dhaka International Film Festival in 2023 as India's official entry and was the only children's film from India selected for the Rainbow International Film Festival in London. In India, it has been screened at various film festivals, including a special screening at Aligarh Muslim University earlier this year.
Filmmaker Dhruva Harsh signs autographs for enthusiastic students after the screening of his film, "Elham," at the JFL 2025 in Delhi
The Jagran Film Festival provided a fitting platform for the film. The 'Little Lights' program, under which Elham was screened, aims to expose young audiences to films that promote empathy, imagination, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. "Children deserve stories that reflect their world with honesty," Harsh said. "My aim is to tell such stories with care and responsibility."
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