Mezhugu (candle) is an award winning Tamil short film that sent out a powerful message on organ donation, and perhaps one of the few that inspired the entire crew to stand up for what they believed in while making it.

“We pledged our organs to set an example for humaneness beyond the barriers of caste, creed and religion,” said director Thasleem Khan, an Indian expat based in Oman’s capital Muscat.

Mezhugu, which received a galore of awards, was shot in a record time of 24 hours in Muscat with most of the actors just making their debut.

Jason Williams, who was the cinematographer for the movie, travelled all the way from India and went on to shoot the film for a continuous 24 hours, said Khan, revealing the dedication of the crew that made the film.

It was screened at the prestigious Norway Tamil Film Festival (NTFF), and bagged several awards at the short film festival organised by Indian Social Club (ISC) Tamil wing in several categories such as Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Child Actor and Best Supporting Actress.

It received recognition at the Dada Sahib Phalke Film Festival in New Delhi and at Filmsaaz Aligarh in addition to a film festival in Estonia.

Sriram Vignesh edited the movie and Dillibabu composed the music with the story concept and production handled by Rekha Thasleem.

But the real achievement for Khan was when some of the viewers inspired by the movie took steps to pledge their organs.

“We are very glad that we have won these awards but the real joy will be when the message of the movie reaches audiences worldwide,” said Khan who plans to enter the movie in international film festivals in order to widen the reach.

Khan’s debut film, Manasu (mind) was shot in Muscat in 17 hours under the scorching heat of the desert sun.

The Tamil short film based on a social theme made it to the Norway Film Festival.

“We shot this movie from 3am to 8pm in a temperature of 46 degree Celsius when I was just learning the ropes of filmmaking,” said Khan, who belongs to Coimbatore.

The maiden venture also won five awards at the Muscat Tamil Film Festival and was screened at STEPS Film Festival, Coimbatore.

His second movie Uravugal (relationships) was selected among 1,300 movies and screened at ISFFI (International Short Film Festival of India).

“I also received recognition at Norway Tamil Film Festival, where I was nominated as the Best Short Film Director,” said Khan, whose informal foray into movie making began when he started writing scripts for his journalist friend Anirban Ray’s works and wrote content for the Muscat Tamil Sangam.

“I had no idea about cinema, but I knew I had a passion for acting,” said the chief executive officer and managing partner of Intelligent Parking and Elevator Company in Oman.

A proof of this is his special jury award at the Norway Tamil Film Festival for acting in a short film ‘Vettenapesel – An Evening Appointment’, directed by Ray.

So, Khan is now aspiring to act in a feature film, and if possible direct one too.

Khan says his films are all family ventures.

“My wife and children, and my extended family are all involved in the making of my movies. Many of them act in them.”

Uravugal was shot in a house in Muscat that was locked for 100 years, he said.

“My wife Rekha cleaned it up and made it fit for the shoot,” he said.

“We work amid limitations as Oman doesn’t offer much in terms of film technology.”

He said his family friend Sridhar Ganesan, an art lover and supporter of all art forms in Muscat, contributed in the funding of the films.