This is a story of Tyagi Sir - a biology teacher just 2 years away from retirement. The film starts on 21st Mar 2020 - the day India announced 1 day of lockdown and then extended it for 5 months.

In the film, Tyagi sir's world changes overnight, as schools go online. We see him struggling. His family tries to help and keep him happy. He is hoping for lockdown to end so that he can go back to school. The day lockdown is removed, he gets to know that online school will continue for 6 more months. This is the day when all his hopes are shattered and he types his resignation letter. He receives a call from one of his ex-students, who is now a doctor thanking him for his contribution in his life. Shaken, Tyagi sir, decides to master technology and new ways of teaching.

The film was shot in Banaras - a city that is believed to be older than history. Situated on the banks of holy river Ganges, Banaras is the heart of India's Hindi Heartland.

We picked Banaras as a location to show an average middle class Indian family. The story is filled with topical events unique to India like the lockdown date, ringing vessels to celebrate the first day of lockdown, and many more.

The film is also filled with cultural nuances like family coming together over food. A seeming tiff between father and son. Elder daughter shown as more responsible and caring. The role of the lady of the house. Importance of food in celebrations. The dynamics of the family - all an integral part of India's culture making this piece of work uniquely Indian. The music score used too belongs to the region.

Many a times, we live our lives unaware of the impact we have made. What seems

like our duty, or job or a small gesture to us can have a life-defining impact on

others. Sometimes, we live our lives isolated from the change that we have made.

Tyagi Sir, our lead character’s life is no different. He is a teacher with 36 years of

experience. He has taught many students and now as he inches towards

retirement, he is being forced to undergo a massive change, due to pandemic and

online teaching. A reality that millions of teachers had to face, especially in Tier 2

and Tier 3 cities of India where people are not tech-savvy.

We picked a vocal genre called Thumri, popular in Hindi Heartland where the film

is based. Thumri is known for its flexibility with Ragas. We picked a song where a

woman is talking about her being asleep in her palace. What she is really talking

about is her ignorance. She is saying that she was unaware of the world as she

was isolated in her palace. And then a thief enters her palace and opens her eyes.

The lyrics and expression was a perfect fit for our film. Tyagi sir was isolated

literally and figuratively. He was locked in his house and at the same time unaware

of impact he has had. And then a call by an ex-student made him aware and alive

again.

We tweaked the second part to highlight the opening of the eyes.