While we sit in air-conditioned homes and offices, grooving to Haye Garmi as temperatures soar, traffic cops, construction workers, and farmers have no such escape. As the mercury, electricity bills, and tempers rise, the climate crisis we predicted is now knocking at our doors. Writer-director Tej Sisodia, in collaboration with Civic Studios, explores how rising temperatures are affecting the middle class and underprivileged through his short film, It’s Only 47°C. Starring Sharib Hashmi, the film is co-produced by Naseeruddin Shah, who also lends his voice to Swanand Kirkire’s poem featured in it. In a conversation with mid-day, Sisodia reveals how a chat with climate researcher, producer, and friend Harish Borah sparked the idea, and why he believes climate change is a man-made crisis that can no longer be ignored.

Excerpts from the interview.