redRail, the rail ticketing platform from redBus and an IRCTC authorised partner has rolled out a 9-minute short film, titled, “Dil ki Patri”, which literally translates to the “heart’s tracks”. Directed by Amitabh Aurora, a renowned Indian film director and screenwriter and starring Sohaila Kapur, this film is a heartfelt tribute to the lifeline of the nation and the pivotal role that Indian railways play in connecting passengers not just across geographies but also across other boundaries, bringing out the concept of re-discovering love in the silver years.
Railway stations and trains continue to hold a strong cultural and emotional influence on the people of India, especially among those who are in their 60’s or more today. More importantly, the railways have played host to countless romantic encounters and fantasies among generations of travelers, who saw their love blossom closer to the tracks, some ending up in a union, while others biting the bitter pill. It is therefore not surprising that the world of cinema, chose to fictionalize railways and craft plots with a strong emotional appeal associated with trains and journeys and redRail’s short film is all about recounting that past, in the present age and time.
The film also highlights the advantages of using the redRail app for booking journeys which brings the near and dear ones together, or, “apno ko, sapno ko kareeb laye”, stressing that redRail by redBus plays a vital role in people’s life experiences, enhancing them immensely.The ‘Dil ki Pattri’ film brings out the essence of magical train journeys and aims to normalize and elevate the notion of love beyond the confines of age, highlighting that such connections are both meaningful and vital.
“Dil ki Patri” takes viewers through the incomplete love story of a man and a woman, who are now in their advanced years, with life’s journey having taken them along separate tracks. But as destiny would have it, the woman’s granddaughter, upon learning about her grandmother’s past love interest, decides to pursue and bond them together in a way that’s reminiscent of the past- through the ever clichéd meeting at the railway station!
About the Film:
This heartening short film centres around Reema – a young girl who embarks on a journey to reunite her Dadi (grandmother) with Anand, a man that her Dadi met on a train and fell in love with as a young girl. After finding an old box containing their love letters,Reema learns that the two lovers were separated because Anand decided to move to London for higher studies and he was certain Reema’s parents would disapprove of their match. She also finds an old polaroid of Anand and decides to find him using the address on the letter.
Using the redRail app, Reema quickly books a train journey, convincing Dadi that they need to visit a relative for a puja. She shows Dadi how easy it is to book train tickets with redRail by redBus, and also finds the position of the coach at the platform using the redRail app.
On the train, Dadi reminisces about her youth. A flashback shows a young Anand and Dadi meeting at the train station. In the present, Dadi notices a man with a familiar watch sitting across her berth in the train. It is Anand. Their eyes meet as they recognize one another, leading to an emotional reunion. Anand greets her tenderly, and Dadi comes alive at the sight of him. The film ends with Dadi and Anand united in the train, with Reema smiling knowingly.
The film has been conceptualised and developed in-house by redBus’ creative agency The Fuel
Creative Credits:
Agency: The Fuel, redBus and redRail’s in house creative agency
Creative Director: Ananda Sen
Production House: HCMF Productions
Director: Amitabh Aurora
DOP: Anil Akki
On the occasion of the launch, Pallavi Chopra, CMO, redBus, said, “With Dil ki patri, we have taken this strategic decision to engage long form content to be able to create a more lasting impact for our rail offering with a longer film. This long form content does justice to our brand promise of reconnecting with loved ones and fulfilling dreams – apno ko sapno ko kareeb laye.”
