Sayani Gupta’s Dear Men: A Hard-Hitting Short Film on Child Trafficking You Must Watch | OTT Stream Queen

Dear Men: The Real-Life Hero Who Inspired the Film

In 2019, activist Dipesh Tank disguised himself as a Bollywood casting director to infiltrate a village in Bihar and rescue two kidnapped girls. His fearless act forms the backdrop of ‘Dear Men’. This story of grit and courage is now brought to screen in a sharp, hard-hitting narrative that doesn’t rely on spectacle but on raw truth.

Sayani Gupta in a Transformative Role

Sayani Gupta plays an undercover rescue worker who disguises herself with a beard and mustache to blend into a dangerous village. Here, power lies in the hands of influential men, the police remain indifferent, and violence against women is normalized. Amidst this, her character’s mission is to save a missing girl from abuse and exploitation.

The film uses powerful imagery, including a calendar with the goddess Lakshmi’s picture, a symbol of society’s hypocrisy when it comes to respecting women. Interestingly, the real-life rescuer was a man, but the filmmakers chose to cast a woman in the role, adding another layer to the storytelling.

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Child Trafficking in India: The Bigger Picture

The film’s urgency is reinforced by statistics. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 62,099 girls were reported kidnapped or abducted in 2022. Nearly 44% of human trafficking victims in India are minors. These numbers make Dear Men not just a film but a mirror to society.

Keith Gomes Returns with Another Powerful Story

'Dear Men' is directed by Keith Gomes, whose last short film 'Shameless' was India’s official entry for the 93rd Academy Awards. With this project, Gomes once again delivers a story that is sharp, layered, and emotionally charged.

Why You Should Watch Dear Men

At under 20 minutes, 'Dear Men' is a small film with a big message. The tension is real, the performances are grounded, and the storytelling leaves a lasting impact. It is now streaming on YouTube, making it easily accessible.

If you’re looking for a short film that blends social commentary with gripping drama, ‘Dear Men’ deserves a spot on your watchlist.

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