Atvi Studios has made its short film Pehla Cycle publicly available on YouTube for the first time, following its earlier screenings. The Hindi-language film, written and directed by Ritika Chauhan, marks the production banner’s debut release on the video-sharing platform.
Set in the chemotherapy ward of GTB Hospital in Delhi, Pehla Cycle centres on a father and son as they wait for the first cycle of chemotherapy to begin. The narrative follows 56-year-old Jagtar Singh Deswal and his 27-year-old son, Jayan Deswal, focusing on their conversation, shared anxieties and attempts to support one another during a moment of uncertainty. The film highlights how cancer impacts not only the patient but also the family members who stand alongside them.
With a running time of approximately seven to eight minutes, the film is positioned as a drama with medical and emotional elements. In her director’s note, Ritika Chauhan notes that the story is informed by personal experience and aims to portray the hospital environment and patient journey in a humane and relatable manner. The focus remains on the father–son relationship, rather than on the illness alone.
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Ritika Chauhan has over eight years of experience in theatre and filmmaking and has worked as a writer, director and assistant director across short films, feature films, web series and advertising projects. Pehla Cycle was written earlier and registered with the Screenwriters Association, India, in 2019.
The film is produced by ATVI Studios, with Tanushree Hazarika and Karma Paljor as executive producers. The cast includes Pradeep Ghildiyaal as Jagtar Deshwal and Pratap Singh as Jayan Deshwal, supported by Gayatri Tamta, Sheetal Naithani and Sunil Singh. Cinematography is by Rishabh Pal, editing by Vinay Topal and background score by Amit V Kapoor.
Released online during World Cancer Week, Pehla Cycle is intended to contribute to conversations around cancer awareness, family support and resilience. The short film is now available to watch on YouTube through Atvi Studios’ official channel.
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