With the world progressing towards success at an unimaginable speed, one often wonders where the true measure of our success lies. Is it in accumulating wealth and prosperity or in progressing together as a society? Even today, social stigmas continue to rip the bond that ties us together, which is why the efforts of those few who raise a voice to fight them must be acknowledged. Juhu resident Bhushan Gaur is one such individual whose film, There Will Be Tomorrow, is an attempt to debunk myths surrounding HIV. Gaur, along with his team, were felicitated at the HIV Congress held in Goa on March 18–20, for their contribution in raising awareness about HIV. The event also marked the first public screening of the movie.
Genesis of the film
The film revolves around a married couple—played by actors Sahil Salathia (of Ashutosh Gowariker’s Everest fame) and model and theatre artist Nimisha Mehta—whose lives are driven into turmoil when the husband finds out that he is HIV positive. It is clear that Gaur, a faculty in advertising and branding in several business schools, and an alumni of New York Film Academy, feels strongly about the cause of HIV. He shares, “I read a story somewhere that HIV patients can have their own uninfected babies. I saw a potential for a great story there. So, I researched a lot and the myths surrounding it were so dreadful and interesting that the screenplay turned better and better.” A subject as sensitive as this also meant that it had to be supported by facts and in-depth research. Gaur shares, “Research continued on an on-going basis. We consulted several doctors and patients suffering from HIV. These patients live with a lot of fear. We got to know several painful real stories so our story was enriched with all of that.”
Recognition at HIV Congress
The film was met with applause and appreciation at the HIV Congress and needless to say, Gaur is ecstatic. “We were awarded at a non-film event and our film was placed next to dignitaries, who have spent 40–50 years for the cause,” says Gaur, “Dr.Sudha Maniar from the organising committee of HIV Congress 2016 said that the film needs to be shown to doctors across the world because medicines alone are not sufficient for HIV treatment; it’s the emotional and sensitive aspect of the treatment that heals a patient like nothing else and that’s what the film is talking about.”
