OTT platform ShemarooMe Box Office boasts of many reputed Indian as well as international titles, of which Graham Staines Ek Ankahi Sachai: The Least of These is set to be a promising entrant. The globally acclaimed motion picture is based on the startling episode where an Australian missionary was brutally murdered along with his two little sons in Odisha, shaking the whole country to its very core.
The Sharman Joshi starrer previously saw a limited release in India as an English film, but ShemarooMe Box Office brings the movie to audiences in Hindi. The film marks Sharman’s maiden collaboration with Hollywood artistes such as Stephen Baldwin and Shari Rigby, who essay the role of Graham Staines and his wife Gladys in the movie.
The film has received widespread recognition for not only accurately depicting an unsettling incident, but also sensitively dealing with the subject. The narrative avoids pointing fingers or playing the blame game, spreading the message of “love over hate” even in the darkest of times, just like its titular character. An interesting trivia is that the project has been written in Australia, produced by an Indian-American, with music composed in South Africa while it was shot in India, making it a truly global production.
Excited on his countrymen getting to watch the film in Hindi, lead actor Sharman Joshi shares, “When I had read the script, I immediately knew it was an honest story that must be put out despite being in English, but now that the film is premiering on ShemarooMe Box Office in Hindi, there is a much larger base of the audience that will get to experience the struggle of Graham Staines and the horrific crime that occurred in his family’s life. I play Manav Banerjee, a journalist who is conflicted between what is right and wrong, forced to re-examine his duties when faced with an inconvenient truth. This character was etched out to perfection and I relished portraying him.”
Aditi Chengappa, his co-star in the film has similar views, “It has been a very emotional experience working on this film based on a powerful, and tragic true story. Staines and his family teach us beautifully about true compassion and forgiveness. This story was waiting to be told, and it has been an absolute honour to be part of it. I am so glad it is releasing on a platform as loved as ShemarooMe Box, moreover in Hindi! I hope that it reaches as many hearts as possible.”
Prakash Belawadi, essaying a complex character called Kedar Mishra in the film, says, “It’s a challenge because it’s painful history, and the core issue is alive… and my role in ‘Graham Staines, Ek Ankahi Sachai: The Least of These’, has many shades — dark and uneasy. It was interesting for me to explore this man and his inner compromises, as he also shares the screen with some very talented actors. The movie will leave viewers troubled with unanswered questions which trouble us even today. It will make them think about reconciliation, gratitude and forgiveness, despite the shocking content.”.
Director Aneesh Daniel shares his two bits, “I wanted to honour Graham Staines in the best way possible and hence decided to produce a movie that documents the incredible change he brought about till his last breath.”
On the opportunity to join forces with the best of India as well as Hollywood, producer Victor Abraham comments, “Every member of our cast and crew had been picked with the utmost confidence of them enhancing our film, may it be Sharman, Prakash, Stephen or the rest of this team.”. He adds, “With our film screening in Hindi, language is no longer a barrier for people to discover this true story”.
With outstanding performances, stellar direction and an insightful story, Graham Staines, Ek Ankahi Sachai: The Least of These, to release on ShemarooMe BoxOffice on August 28, seems certain to win hearts as a film that shows us stark reality but also gives hope.
