Dia Mirza’s production house One India Stories has scored a major victory at the All Living Things Environmental Film Festival (ALT EFF), with its debut short film Panha winning Best Indian Short Film. The project, co-founded by Dia Mirza and her childhood friend Ananya Rane, marks an impressive milestone for the banner, which was built on the belief that storytelling can inspire empathy and meaningful change.
Directed by Sakshi Mishra, Panha unfolds in the mango orchards of Maharashtra, capturing the emotional turmoil of a family of farmers facing displacement due to a bullet train project. Told from the delicate perspective of seven-year-old Vithu, the narrative explores loss, resilience and the quiet heartbreak that accompanies “development” for those pushed to the margins. Without leaning into judgement or political commentary, the film takes a reflective, humane look at what home truly means.
Reacting to the film’s win, Dia Mirza said, “Panha was made with love, trust, and a deep respect for the lives it portrays. This win is for the farmers who opened their homes and hearts to us, and for every child whose story deserves to be seen and felt. Cinema, to me, is at its most powerful when it reminds us of our shared humanity.”
Co-founder Ananya Rane shared the core motivation behind One India Stories. “We started One India Stories to tell honest, compassionate stories that bring people closer to each other and to the world they inhabit. Panha is our first step in that journey, and this recognition tells us that small, sincere stories can travel far.”
Director Sakshi Mishra also expressed gratitude for the film’s reception and the community that shaped it. “Panha was never about spectacle — it was about stillness, intimacy, and listening. The farmers of Maharashtra didn’t just lend us their orchards; they trusted us with their lives. This award belongs as much to them as it does to our team.”
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Made on a modest budget, the film features a talented cast including Ujjwala Jog, Suhas Sirsat, Prithvik Pratap, Sayali Sanjeev, Shubhangi Bhujbal, Payal Jadhav and Aarav Aeer, whose honest performances add to the film’s authenticity.
Panha’s recognition at ALT EFF follows a remarkable festival journey. The short has already won Best Film at the 9th World Indian Film Festival Hyderabad, earned an Honourable Jury Mention at the 13th Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival and secured an Official Selection at IDSFFK (Kerala) 2025.
With its gentle storytelling and powerful emotional core, Panha continues to resonate nationwide, reaffirming that sometimes the quietest stories leave the deepest impact.
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