our company
La Pataa Films is an independent film production company based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Founded by Shahrukhkhan Chavada and Wafa Refai, our goal is to represent Indian parallel cinema to the world through meaningful films. The name "La Pataa" is an Urdu word that means 'Lost', it reflects our aim to bring back styles that are lost from Indian cinema.
As a team of two, we have the flexibility and hands-on approach necessary to bring our vision to life. We have just completed our first feature film, which has recently premiered worldwide at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam 2023. This is a significant achievement for our company, and we are excited for the opportunity to showcase our work on a global stage.
We are also open to collaborations with like-minded filmmakers, as we believe these partnerships can bring new perspectives and insights to our productions.
We take pride in every aspect of filmmaking and are dedicated to creating films that stand out in the independent film industry, We look forward to continuing to tell stories that resonate with audiences around the world.
the la pataa duo
Shahrukhkhan
Sherkhan Chavada
CO-DIRECTOR
Shahrukhkhan Sherkhan Chavada’s path into cinema has been shaped by movement, adaptation, and a strong instinct for visual storytelling. His film education began in Pune, where he completed a diploma in Visual Effects and Filmmaking, but his practice has largely been shaped through self-learning, field experience, and continuous experimentation.
A significant shift came in 2020 when Shahrukh encountered world cinema rooted in realism. The simplicity, restraint, and emotional precision of these works influenced his approach to storytelling and led to the founding of La Pataa Films, which he co-created with Wafa Refai to pursue independent filmmaking.
Under La Pataa Films, Shahrukh directed his debut feature, Kayo Kayo Colour? (Which Colour?), which premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (2023) and received multiple awards, including at MAMI Mumbai Film Festival and Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival. Across his work as a director and cinematographer, he is drawn to everyday spaces, working with natural light, patient observation, and a lived-in aesthetic drawn from the worlds he inhabits. His approach to the camera is guided by rhythm, distance, and the emotional register of a scene.
He has worked as Director of Photography on Phas Gayi Jal Machri (The Golden Catch), directed by Sanchay Bose. Under La Pataa Films, he is currently developing multiple projects, including It Has a Beautiful Ending (directed by Himadri Mahesh), Swimming is the Best Exercise (directed by Wafa Refai), and his own next feature, AC MeiN SeataaN Garam. He has also served as a jury member at the VGIK International Student Film Festival in Russia.
Shahrukh continues to build a body of work defined by honesty, texture, and an intuitive understanding of human environments. He is driven by a belief that images should hold meaning, not just beauty, and that the camera must always remain connected to the people at the centre of the story.
Wafa Salim Refai
CO-DIRECTOR
Wafa Salim Refai is a producer and co-founder of La Pataa Films, an independent production company committed to intimate, people-driven cinema. She pursued Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Creative Media Production (Television & Film), followed by a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Effects and Filmmaking from Pune.
When Shahrukh embarked on writing Kayo Kayo Colour? (Which Colour), as his directorial debut, Wafa took charge of the production and business aspects of this new project. While initially not aiming to be a producer, Wafa's responsibilities naturally aligned with the duties of a producer. This transformation allowed her to play an integral role in the success of their debut feature film. The film premiered at the 52nd International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2023 and later won the Rashid Irani Young Critics’ Choice Award at the MAMI Mumbai FF and the NETPAC Award at the Jogja-NETPAC AFF. The film travelled widely to festivals including Melbourne, Hawai‘i, Athens, and IFF Kerala.
Today, Wafa is building a diverse slate of projects under La Pataa Films, all rooted in honesty and people-driven narratives. Phas Gayi Jal Machri (The Golden Catch), directed by Sanchay Bose, is now in post-production. She is producing Himadri Mahesh’s upcoming feature, It Has a Beautiful Ending, which will enter pre-production soon. She is also developing Shahrukhkhan Chavada’s second fiction feature, AC MeiN SeataN Garam, currently in its early stages. Alongside producing for others, Wafa is writing her own debut feature as a director, Swimming is the Best Exercise.
Wafa’s approach to filmmaking is collaborative, instinctive, and grounded in trust. She gravitates toward stories connected to real places and told through strong, personal voices and community-driven narratives. Her work reflects an ongoing interest in clear intention, close creative partnership, and a belief in cinema that remains emotionally and socially connected to the people it represents.