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THE STORY 

The Paying Guest is a gripping suspense thriller short film about Taalika, an aspiring music composer who relocates to a new city with her dog, Doodle, and moves in as a paying guest with an elderly woman and her emotionally distant grandson. What begins as an ordinary attempt at rebuilding her life soon spirals into a haunting experience, as unsettling events inside the house begin to unravel hidden truths.

As Taalika digs deeper, she finds herself entangled in a web of trauma, secrets, and danger. With her sanity tested and her life on the line, she must confront a terrifying reality – one that may leave her no way out.

WHO I AM

I am Kalpesh Mistry. I’ve always wanted to be a filmmaker. It’s the one thing I’ve felt most connected to. But life didn’t quite take me down that path early on. Over time—almost by accident—I became a video editor. While editing gave me a strong sense of the craft, I stayed away from filmmaking for several years.

Eventually, I found my way back.

And when I did, I knew I had returned to the space I belong to. Filmmaking is what I do best, and I’m doing everything I can to grow into the storyteller I’ve always aspired to be.

I never went to film school. I didn’t have that opportunity. But I’ve been making short films on my own with very limited resources—often with budgets as small as Rs. 5000. I’ve always pushed to keep the quality of storytelling intact, even when the production has had to make compromises.

WHY I’M MAKING THIS FILM

The Paying Guest is the most ambitious film I’ve written and prepared for. After years of practicing, experimenting, and learning on my own, I’m now ready to take a bigger step—toward the kind of storytelling I believe in.

This film is personal. It’s bold. And it’s a chance to show what I can really do as a director when given the right support.

WHERE I’M FROM

I’m from India—a country that has given the world timeless cinema and legendary filmmakers. But today, things are shifting. The focus is often on commercial, formula-driven content, and many original voices are pushed to the margins.

I want to change that in my own way. Whether it’s a thriller, an emotional journey, or a social drama—I want to tell stories that speak to people on a deeper level.

MY BEST WORK SO FAR

In 2022, I made a short film called Wake Up with just Rs. 10,000. We shot it on a borrowed camera. It wasn’t the production quality that made it stand out—it was the performance.

The film has very few dialogues. Every emotion had to be communicated through silence, expression, and action. That challenge helped me grow tremendously as a director, and it’s a film I’m still proud of.

THE TEAM

Kritish Moolya – Writer

Kritish, from Shashvat Katha Motion Pictures, studied Mass Media at SM Shetty College, Powai. He’s been writing since 2015 and brings years of storytelling and content creation experience. He also runs a digital marketing agency and is deeply committed to filmmaking.

Pritesh Amin – Cinematographer

Pritesh studied cinematography at Digital Academy, Mumbai. He’s worked on a variety of projects—short films, music videos, and a feature-length documentary (The Land of Tuluvas). He’s known for his strong visual sense and is a core part of Shashvat Katha Motion Pictures.

Rajesh Pandey – Line Producer

Rajesh, also known as Raj, has produced several successful shorts including The Professor, which gained millions of views and festival recognition. With experience as a producer, director, and executive, he’s a strong pillar for this project.

Kalpesh Mistry – Writer-Director

Kalpesh is a self-taught filmmaker from Ahmedabad. He developed an interest in scriptwriting at a young age and has been dedicated to filmmaking ever since. Since 2017, he has directed several self-funded short films, including Wake Up, A Simple Plan, and The Last Night. Despite working with limited budgets, Kalpesh has consistently created captivating films.

THE BUDGET

We’ve carefully structured our budget across departments. Here are a few key expenses:

• Camera and Equipment (10 days) – $1900 = Rs. 1,65,000
• Locations and Art – $700 = Rs. Rs. 60,000
• Casting – $1000 = Rs. 90,000
• Post-Production (color grading, sound, music) – $800 = Rs. 70,000

A detailed pie chart will also be shared to show how every dollar will be used across departments.

PROJECT TIMELINE

We’re currently in Pre-Production Phase 1, where we are scouting locations and reviewing casting submissions.

We plan to begin filming by late May or early June, and complete post-production by October 2025.

RISKS AND CHALLENGES

Every independent film comes with its share of hurdles — from location issues and weather delays to managing tight budgets. While we’ve built a solid plan with a committed team, unexpected challenges can arise. However, with careful pre-production, flexible scheduling, and a strong support system, we are confident in executing this film on time and to its full potential. Your support helps us minimize these risks and stay focused on telling a powerful story.

ABOUT SHASHVAT KATHA MOTION PICTURES

The Paying Guest is being produced under Shashvat Katha Motion Pictures, an independent production company based in Ahmedabad and Mumbai. What started as a small team of storytellers creating content for YouTube has now evolved into a full-fledged filmmaking and post-production house.

Our focus has always been on meaningful storytelling. We work across short films, advertisements, and branded content with a strong belief in visual honesty and emotional resonance. Even with limited resources, we aim to create cinema that feels rich in craft and clarity.

The name Shashvat Katha means “eternal stories” — and that’s exactly what drives us. We’re here to make stories that last, stories that connect, and stories that reflect the world with a human touch.

Our website: https://shashvatkatha.com

Contact email: contact@shashvatkatha.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/shashvatkatha

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechotascreen

(The images used in posters and references in the video are AI generated)

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