Celebrated director Saumitra Singh and narrative writer Abhi Raj Sharma are joining forces with producer Shaz Memon to create 'No Water Land'. This documentary explores the challenging lives of girls forced to choose between their survival and the pursuit of education.
Director Saumitra Singh announced his latest project, 'No Water Land', which highlights the remarkable real-life story of UK philanthropist Shaz Memon and his nonprofit organization 'Wells on Wheels'. The NGO tirelessly supports the welfare and education of girls in Maharashtra, many of whom lack basic education because they must fetch water for their families.
Shaz Memon, the film's producer, emphasized that every child has dreams, yet not all have the chance to chase them. He wants to rectify this unfairness affecting rural Indian girls ensnared in the relentless cycle of water fetching. The sacrifices they make extend beyond lost childhoods and self-induced health problems. These girls are required to carry water due to their circumstances, often at the expense of their education, an unfortunate burden for any young child.
Upon hearing the poignant stories of girls traveling 3-4 kilometers twice daily, carrying heavy pots to fetch water, Saumitra Singh was deeply moved. Such tasks hinder these girls from education and other growth-related activities. The fact that this occurs a mere 150 kilometers from Mumbai, a major city, astounded him, leading to his decision to share their experiences globally.
The director and his crew have concluded their reconnaissance for the shoot, with the project now entering the pre-production phase. Singh extended his gratitude to Sanjay Kapoor for introducing him to the project's creators and for his role as the brand ambassador for 'Wells on Wheels'. Singh was also thankful to Shaz Memon for his guidance and to the 'Wells on Wheels' team in Nashik for their amazing work.
The documentary will be produced by Shaz Memon's 'Wells on Wheels' in collaboration with Shukar Studios, with Shiprartz supervising the production and Saumitra Singh serving as the director. Executive producer Hasan Khan is also part of the project. The task of crafting the narrative around the girls' struggles has been entrusted to Abhi Raj Sharma.
Saumitra Singh, previously recognized for his work with Naseeruddin Shah in his award-winning short film 'The Wallet', is also anticipating the release of his upcoming films 'Taxi No 24' featuring Mahesh Manjrekar, and 'The House of Lies' with Sanjay Kapoor.
