In a cinematic landscape often dominated by spectacle and volume, Arin Paul’s short film 'Let Me Call You, Ritwik Da' offers a welcome pause. A quiet, meditative tribute to Ritwik Ghatak, one of India’s most iconic yet emotionally elusive filmmakers, the film has steadily captured hearts with its evocative minimalism and philosophical tone - released in the year marking his 100th birth anniversary.

Released under the banner of 'Arin Paul Productions' — a boutique film outfit known for its independent spirit and unconventional storytelling — the film post its release continues to garner appreciation from cinephiles, critics, and scholars alike.

At just over 13 minutes, 'Let Me Call You, Ritwik Da' unfolds like a visual poem. It doesn’t aim to explain Ghatak. It doesn’t mythologize him either. Instead, it conjures his essence through fragments of memory, suggestion, and mood. The film features an excerpt from a poem written by filmmaker John Abraham, who was once Ghatak’s student at FTII.

This powerful tribute, narrated with restraint, forms the emotional core of the film. The film is also marked by its distinctive use of stillness. Shots linger. Time stretches. There are long silences that speak louder than most dialogues. Even the choice of music and sound design is minimal and effective, allowing the images to breathe.

The film culminates with a final 360-degree shot—a cinematic turning point that has become symbolic for viewers. As the camera pans, time collapses, and we are left with a moment that feels timeless. It is this emotional resonance that has helped the film carve out a special space within India’s indie film community.

Arin Paul, the director, has long been associated with deeply personal, non-mainstream cinema. His works often blur the line between fiction and memory, using visual language as a means of philosophical reflection. With this film, he offers not just a tribute, but a quiet conversation with Ghatak across time. In many ways, it is also a reflection of Paul’s own cinematic ethos — rooted in restraint, reverence, and rebellion.

Paul's production house, 'Arin Paul Productions', continues to champion films that challenge form and thought. With a tagline that reads "Beyond Entertainment, We Create Experience," this short film is yet another example of that mission in motion.

'Let Me Call You, Ritwik Da' is available for free viewing on YouTube on the Arin Paul Productions Channel. For anyone interested in Indian cinema, Ghatak’s legacy, or the power of minimalist storytelling, this short film is not to be missed.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/d1mhw9nQZ7U?si=oisrxgClZIARvjux