top of page
Team
Front SS

फस गई जल मछरी

Fish Out Of Water       Phas Gayi Jal Machri

WRITER & DIRECTOR

Sanchay Bose

PRODUCERS

Wafa Refai & Sanchari Bose

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Shahrukhkhan Chavada

EDITOR

Paresh Kamdar

SYNC-SOUND

Shubham Sengupta

STARRING

Pratiek Pachori, Brijkishhore Namdeo

Synopsis

Synopsis

In the heart of Jabalpur, the legacy of the Gond dynasty fades as urbanisation erases its lakes, weaving a tale of development's clash with heritage. Chotelaal, a multifaceted figure, serves as both a fisherman and secretary at the Machua Samiti (Fishermen Union) while grappling with his son Nitish's disinterest in their ancestral trade, yearning for him to join water chestnut farming. Nitish, drawn to his friend Guru's success, dreams of a government job, unimpressed by the diminishing returns of the dying trade. Even the Machua Samiti members are losing hope, reluctant to see their children inherit a profession that now seems doomed. The film highlights the community's struggles and the neglect of traditional communities along with a failure to create alternative professions in the evolving landscape of Jabalpur.

MAIN04 MONSOON Copy 01.00_27_56_07.Still011.png

Why Phas Gayi Jal Machri Matters

At its heart, Phas Gayi Jal Machri is a deeply human story about the cost of progress and the quiet loss of identity. Chotelaal’s attachment to an ancestral way of life speaks to the universal tension between holding onto the past and embracing an uncertain future, while Nitish’s yearning for upward mobility echoes the dreams of many young people in marginalized communities. Their generational divide highlights the emotional tug-of-war between preserving traditional livelihoods and adapting to urbanisation.
This film also questions how urban development policies prioritize superficial improvements, often ignoring the deeper socio-economic and cultural ties that link communities to their lands. As Jabalpur's lakes—once vital to the city's identity—are lost to development, so too are the livelihoods of those who have depended on them for generations.
The film also raises urgent questions about climate change’s overlooked impact on vulnerable populations, as environmental shifts further erode their ability to sustain their livelihoods. By shedding light on the lives of the fisherman community in Jabalpur, Phas Gayi Jal Machri aims to inspire conversations around sustainability, tradition, how progress is defined, and who ultimately pays the price for it.

About the Film
MAIN04 MONSOON Copy 01.00_31_02_02_edite

Milestones Reached and the Road Ahead

We are incredibly proud to have completed the principal shoot of Phas Gayi Jal Machri. Despite working with limited resources, we’ve made significant progress in the production, covering critical expenses like location rent, permits, partial cast and crew payments, equipment rental, art design, and travel/accommodation.​

​​

However, as we move forward, we seek additional support to complete the post-production, which includes sound design and mixing, music, colour grading (DI), and DCP export.

Be Part of Phas Gayi Jal Machri’s Journey

We invite you to join us in bringing Phas Gayi Jal Machri to life. This project is about more than just making a film—it’s about telling a story that would otherwise go unheard. We welcome conversations with potential financiers and co-producers to help us preserve the authenticity of this narrative that is as visually striking as it is thought-provoking.

Progress So Far

  • Summer 2024: We successfully completed a 10-day shoot covering key scenes related to sowing and cleaning in the water chestnut farming process.

  • Monsoon 2024: Completed a 4-day shoot focusing on exterior shots during the monsoon season, including scenes of crop maintenance and pesticide spraying.

  • Dussehra Festival 2024: Completed a 3-day shoot, capturing both fiction and non-fiction scenes to showcase Jabalpur’s vibrant atmosphere during this major festival.

  • Winter 2024-25: Completed the remaining interior shots for monsoon and winter sequences over a 12-day shoot between December 2024 and January 2025, covering the final stages of the water chestnut farming narrative, focusing on harvest.

What’s Next

  • February - March 2025: Editing the film.

  • March - May 2025: Finalise post-production, including sound design, mixing, and colour grading. We also have a contingency plan in place for potential reshoots.

  • June - August 2025: Complete the final cut and prepare the Digital Cinema Package.

MAIN04 MONSOON Copy 01.00_41_21_10.Still020.png
MAIN04 MONSOON Copy 01.00_39_58_20.Still019.png

Help Us Spread the Word

Even if direct involvement isn’t possible, you can still support us by spreading the word. Sharing Phas Gayi Jal Machri's journey helps amplify our message and brings us closer to reaching our goals. Help us raise awareness by sharing Phas Gayi Jal Machri with your network. Every share counts and makes a difference!

CONTACT

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, INDIA
+91 9825 339 432
+91 7030 634 504
© 2025 by La Pataa Films Private Limited.
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Vimeo
  • Instagram
bottom of page