Gandhinagar: Ahmedabad based filmmaker Dr. Darshan Ashwin Trivedi’s debut Gujarati feature film Mrugtrushna (The Other Side of the River) has bagged The Golden Butterfly Award and Diploma of Honor for Best Screenplay at the 33rd International Film Festival for Children and Youth, Iran on 23rd October.

The film is about the dream of four children who live on the banks of the river. Their common dream is to cross the river. The film was shot in exotic locations like Hafeshwar, Polo Forest and the Varsoda Haveli in Gujarat.

Dr. Darshan Ashwin Trivedi was the Story-Screenplay writer and Director of the film. Mrugrtrushna is the first film of Gujarat’s first trilogy called the “Illusion Trilogy”. The film deals with illusory experiences. Trivedi is already working on the second film of the trilogy called Yayavar. The film is being co-written by Raam Mori, the writer who collaborated with Trivedi on his second film Mara Pappa Superhero, which is now in Post-Production. Yayavaris slated to go on floor in early 2021.

Upon asking him about the award Trivedi said, “Iran is the ultimate destination for children’s content across the world. Iran has given filmmakers like Abbas Kiarostami, Mohsen Makhmalbaf and Majid Majidi. I have grown up watching some of the most compelling cinema from these stalwarts in Iran. I feel honored to get this recognition by the country that is regarded as the hub of children’s film. I thank the festival organizers and the jury for considering our film worthy of such an honor. Iran is our first international award for the film.”

Besides Trivedi the writers who contributed to the film were Dialogue writers Ankit Gor, GaurangAanand and Script Doctors Arvind Sivakumaranas well as Vijay K Patel. The film is produced by Mrinal Kapadia and Dr. Devdatt Kapadia and Co-Produced by Burzin Unwalla, Nishith Mehta and Dr. Darshan Ashwin Trivedi.

“Covid19 has stalled the release plans. We are looking forward to bringing the film in cinema halls as soon as the world goes back to normal. The film is made for people and we are eagerly waiting to share it with the people of India and abroad.” adds Trivedi.