MUMBAI: Just when we thought life was returning to normalcy after a year of COVID-19 pandemic, the second wave hit us harder than we ever imagined. We have to put a brave face against the crisis and keep our spirits high.

Given the lockdown in effect, OTT platforms have seen a boom in consumption and there is a plethora of content for viewers to choose from. Well, Rahul Srivastava's Itwaar is one film that will make you smile in these times of distress - a reason enough to have it on your must watch list.  

Itwaar is a story revolving around the protagonist Anubhav Verma played by Kumud Mishra, a middle-aged working professional who is forced to relocate to support his only son's studies. He gets upset with a bad news that has a domino effect on his entire day, and one after the other, he finds himself surrounded by negativity in whatever he does. He fails to recognise the fact that the world remains unchanged, but it’s the negativity of his mind that takes over everything, thus failing him to find the simplest solution of worldly problems. 

Kumud Mishra, who made a lasting impact with his roles in films like Filmistaan, Airlift, Sultan, web series Tandav and many more will impress you all over again. “The core message of Itwaar is that a positive frame of mind can enable you to beat the hardships of life. I am positive, the film will receive a lot of love from the audience,” says Kumud Mishra who is down with COVID-19 himself. 

Speaking about the film, filmmaker Rahul Srivastava says, "Given the pandemic, if our film could make people smile, it would achieve its objective. The idea behind Itwaar is that a positive mind can conquer any hurdle. Let's hope to keep the same positivity and beat this deadly virus soon." 

The film features a song crooned by the legendary singer Udit Narayan. Titled Man Bhala Toh Sab Bhala, the song has a therapeutic effect.

The film has received international acclaim at the RiverToRiver 18th Florence Indian Film Festival in Italy. It received the Special Jury Award at 16th Kalpanirjhar International Short Fiction Film Festival 2018 and Filmingo International Short Film Festival 2018. The film was an official selection at Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival 2019, 9th Jagran Film Festival 2018 and many more. 

Written and directed by Rahul Srivastava, Itwaar also stars Harshit Sidhwani and Lubna Salim in key roles. The film is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.