In 2023 when Bengaluru-based theatremaker Chanakya Vyas’ debut short film, LOO, was released, it piqued the interest of many for its inventive narrative and gripping performances by Avani Vamshaja and Virginia Rodrigues. Fast forward to 2025, the filmmaker is back with another short, which is equal parts earthy and endearing. Released as part of the ‘MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone’ programme, Mangya is a 28-minute Marathi film, written and directed by Chanakya, under the mentorship of acclaimed actress-filmmaker Konkona Sensharma. This year marks the second edition of this initiative, done in collaboration with Apple. You can watch Mangya on Mumbai Academy of Moving Image’s YouTube channel.
STORY: Schoolboy Sanket (Devdatta Ghone) and his pet rooster Mangya (Sikander) are the lead characters of this Go Far Films movie. The story is set in a suburb in Maharashtra, where Sanket lives with his parents Rajendra (Harish Baraskar) and Yogita (Sheetal Kulkarni). Rajendra runs a poultry farm in the village, where Shailesh (Siddhesh Dhuri) works as a caretaker. Sanket is not allowed to take his pet home, so he spends time with it before and after school hours. The boy is a bit of a loner, who would rather chase his rooster around paddy fields and feed it in a bowl than play with neighbourhood children. Although Yogita encourages him to mingle with other boys, Sanket still seems to be reeling under the absence of his old friend Mangesh, whose family has now moved to Pune.
Everything goes well until there’s a sudden outbreak of bird flu in the Thane-Palghar region, forcing poultry owners to strictly follow biosecurity protocols. However, within the next few days, the avian influenza strain starts spreading more rapidly. This results in new government regulations, under which authorities order mass culling of chickens in local poultry farms. Disturbed and anxious, Sanket must find a way to protect Mangya and provide it with immediate shelter. Eventually, he brings the rooster home and hides it in the outhouse. Things settle only temporarily, as the rooster starts crowing in the morning, raising an alarm in the neighbourhood. What follows next forms the crux of the story.
REVIEW: Shot on an iPhone 16 Pro Max, Mangya is a coming-of-age drama film that dabbles in the delicate emotions of boyhood. While little Sanket is innocent, inquisitive and affable, it’s interesting to see him exhibit an air of steely determination to protect his pet rooster when it comes under the threat of being culled amid an emerging bird flu pandemic. There’s a certain charm and integrity in Chanakya’s style of storytelling that accentuates the natural and unselfconscious love that binds Sanket and his friend. Naivety and poignancy serve as plot devices in a film, dotted with curious twists and turns, making it an engaging watch. Devdatta, as Sanket, will win your heart with his compassion, empathy, kindness and endless struggle to save the rooster.
You’ll love the characters’ simplicity and earthy surroundings in the movie. Harish, Sheetal and Siddhesh put up brilliant performances as supporting cast. Don’t miss the banters between Sanket and Yogita! DOP Amith Surendran’s cinematography deserves a special mention here, alongside award-winning writer-dramaturg Irawati Karnik’s Marathi dialogue translation. The film’s background score (composed by Nishant Ramteke) and sound design by Rahul Tiwari further complement the storyline. Meanwhile, colourist Mahak Gupta’s work is also praiseworthy.
VERDICT: A thoughtfully written script, Mangya is relatable as much as it is curious and intriguing. Ably guided by Konkona, Chanakya brings out a narrative of love and friendship, with an imaginative approach, casting and treatment. The conversations between Sanket and Shailesh are among the highlights of the film. But what you cannot possibly miss is Sikander’s compelling act! It seems the rooster has carefully noted the director’s cues before enacting them in front of the camera. Mangya is dedicated to Chankaya’s pet dog Anna (a Golden Retriever), who passed away in 2023.
Mangya
Writer and director: Chanakya Vyas
Mentor: Konkona Sensharma
Cast: Devdatta Ghone, Harish Baraskar, Sheetal Kulkarni, Siddhesh Dhuri and Sikander
Rating: 3½ stars
