- Dhollywood’s first movie on Artificial Intelligence, deepfake, cybercrimes made its grand opening on the 65th Foundation Day of Gujarat with a bang
- As the youth navigate this digital landscape, it is imperative for society—families, the corridors of education, and communities—to provide proper guidance, parental control and support
- Encouraging responsible usage, fostering creativity, and promoting balanced lifestyles will ensure that technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than a hindrance
GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
Once known mostly for its vibrant theatre scene and comic films, present-day Gujarati cinema is enjoying a creative renaissance. It’s a sheer coincidence that as India celebrates ‘World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) showcasing the metamorphization of creators in keeping with the digital age, Dhollywood’s first movie on Artificial Intelligence, deepfake, cybercrimes, good-cum-bad hacking and cyber bullying– Shashtra – has made its grand opening on the 65th Foundation Day of Gujarat with a bang.
The integration of gadgets into the lives of youth represents both a remarkable opportunity and a unique set of challenges. As they navigate this digital landscape, it is imperative for society—families, the corridors of education, and communities—to provide proper guidance, parental control and support. Encouraging responsible usage, fostering creativity, and promoting balanced lifestyles will ensure that technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than a hindrance.
Gadgets are double-edged sword
During the COVID pandemic, gadgets like mobile, laptops, desktops and iPads helped the students to learn virtually without wasting their precious time and got them occupied to hone their knowledge. It is needless to say that gadgets offer remarkable opportunities for growth and development, they are also a double-edged sword. The allure of technology can lead to distractions, especially regarding academic performance. Notifications from social media and gaming apps can divert attention at critical moments, highlighting the importance of digital literacy.
Parents and educators bear the responsibility of guiding youth toward healthy tech habits like setting boundaries around screen time, promoting tech-free zones during meals, and encouraging offline activities can help mitigate the risks associated with excessive gadget use.
Shashtra is an edutainment par excellence
Gadget manufacturers eye the youth with many special features in their products and lure them to buying their high-end products by hook or crook. In this film, Mann (Shrey Maradiya) is induced to buy a high-end phone to impress his lady love Charmy (Priyal Bhatt) by a hacker in exchange for sexy photos with prize money. Caught in this vicious circle, Mann and Charmy land in untold hardships as the hackers circulate the videos in the social media.
Cracking cybercrime is a daunting task
When Charmy’s parents approach the police for help, the police say that cybercriminals are always ahead of them in dodging past the long arm of the law. As the media’s trial by fire raises much heat, the home minister pulls up the police to checkmate this menace with an iron hand. An upright and no non-sense ACP Raghav (Chetan Dhanani) is entrusted with this task of trapping the hackers. Even as the ACP nabs the cyberbullies the court lets them off for want of credible evidence.
Not let down by this happening, ACP Raghav and his team take the help of Vaidehi (Puja Joshi), HoD of a college Computer Department and pursue the case vigorously and accomplish their mission. Hemin Trivedi, as Jogi, adds a layer of wit with some well-timed punchlines. Though Deep Vaidya enters post-interval, he leaves a lasting impact.
The film stars Chetan Dhanani, Puja Joshi, Hemin Trivedi, Priyal Bhatt, Shrey Maradia, and Deep Vaidya, all of whom deliver compelling performances.
The film goes beyond entertainment. It raises important awareness about the growing dangers of our digital world. It’s especially thought-provoking for the youth, prompting viewers to reflect on how vulnerable our personal data really is. Directed by Kartavya Shah, Shashtra treats the theme of cybercrime not just with urgency, but with cinematic finesse. The story is written by Bhargav Trivedi, and the film is produced by Ajay Patel, Dit J Patel, Ashok Patel, and Piyush Patel.
The movie effectively highlights how technology — though meant to simplify life — can become dangerously unregulated and invasive.
By embracing the potential of gadgets while remaining vigilant about their pitfalls, we can cultivate a generation ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow—a generation that uses technology as a stepping stone toward greater achievements and a more connected world.
“Shashtra” is a must-watch for all generations.
Crew
Writer: Bhargav Trivedi
Director: Kartavya Shahi
Produced By: Ajay Patel, Dit Patel, Ashok Patel, Piyush Patel
Music: Saregama Gujarati
BGM: Arjun Pinakin and Darshan Shah
DOP: Sreekumar Nair
