Capturing hospital stories often forgotten, Kashibai Navale Medical College students Short Film 'The Staircase' Wins 5 International Awards

Pune: In the busy corridors of Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital, a simple, ordinary staircase, became the center of a powerful and extraordinary story. A group of medical students turned this silent part of the hospital into the main subject of their award-winning short film, The Staircase: A Journey of Emotions.

The 16-minute film, directed by Dr. Ajay Patil, head of the Forensic Medicine and Toxicology department, captures the unnoticed moments and emotions of hospital life. It sheds light on the experiences of doctors, patients, paramedics, and other hospital staff members whose stories often go unheard, overlooked or forgotten. 

Created and conceptualized by medical student Faraj Shaikh, the film portrayed the staircase witnessing the suffering, loss, struggles, pain and hope of the families who either lost their loved one or are hoping for their recovery. It also captures the hard work, determination and sacrifices made by the doctors, nurses and hospital staff while serving the patients. 

Also read- Stethoscopes and Spotlight! Actress Sreeleela completes her MBBS

Though the staircase silently observes every moment of those who pass by, it chooses to remain silent. The film aims to show that while the staircase may seem ordinary, it carries the memories and emotions of everyone who has walked its steps.

Dr. Patil, who saw the potential of the idea, along with resident doctors Dr. Sagar Patil and Dr. Malhar Thorat, transformed the thought into a movie, which received 5 international awards. 

The Staircase won the Best Short Film Winner Attainment Award at the Dreamz Catcher International Film Festival 2024 and the Best Inspirational Film Award at the Shunyatam International Film Festival 2024. It also secured the Second Best Director Award at the same festival and was officially selected at the International Kolkata Short Film Festival 2024 and the Abhijaat Short Film Festival 2024. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Pune acknowledged this remarkable achievement by felicitating the team on March 30.

Speaking to the Indian Express, Dr Patil said, "The Staircase is a poignant slice-of-life story that seeks to capture the essence of time. “Through this staircase, you’ll discover the hidden lives and emotions of those within the hospital—stories often overlooked or forgotten."

Dr Sagar Patil, a resident doctor at the college who acted and co-directed the film along with Dr Malhar Thorat, said, "The story was conceptualised and created by a medical college student, Faraj Shaikh. We saw great potential in it to express different sides and stories of people associated with the medical field. Be it a doctor or a patient, a paramedic staff or a watchman, everyone has their own story… and this storyline could provide light on each one of them."

“This short film was made entirely by the students of the college. From scripting, all the way to the music and direction or even sweeping the sets, medical students and staff did everything,” Dr Sagar Patil said while adding that the motivation behind all this was Dr Ajay Patil’s vision to create an ecosystem and culture of short films in the college. 

“The college director, Dr A V Bhore and dean Dr K B Patil helped and supported the project, which received five international awards,” Dr Sagar Patil added.

"Among the stories is that of a man, Prashant, who lost his wife and children due to COVID in the hospital during the pandemic. Since then, Prashant felt he had lost everything. He became an alcoholic and started going to the hospital, where he lost his dear ones, talking to the Staircase. It was right in front of the staircase where Prashant’s wife and children’s bodies were kept. The film reflects upon how the staircases observe everything around them, yet remain silent,” Dr Patil said.

Yet another tale in the film is woven around Shekhar, a businessman who earned a lot of money but went through a lot of personal tragedies. After losing his wife, his life revolves around his daughter, who also dies tragically in the hospital. He gets psychologically disturbed when he hears another patient sharing the news of a newborn daughter with someone over a phone call. 

“Here again, the staircase is a witness to these events,” Dr Ajay Patil, who also pursued his passion for drama, theatre and films by completing two courses from the Film and Television Institute of India and working with noted actor and director Dr Mohan Agashe.

Also read- Medinirai Medical College Principal accused of alleged misconduct, threatening students, doctors' body demands termination