Harfanmaula Films
| Private | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
| Industry | Indian cinema |
| Genre | Film production |
| Founded 📆 | Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India |
| Founder 👔 | |
Area served 🗺️ | India |
| Products 📟 | Feature films, documentaries, short films |
| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| 🌐 Website | harfanmaulafilms |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
Harfanmaula Films is an Indian film production company based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Founded by a collective of four filmmakers, the company primarily produces Gujarati-language cinema with an emphasis on culturally rooted storytelling. It is best known for co-producing Hellaro (2019), the first Gujarati film to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.
Background
Harfanmaula Films was established as a venture by four storytellers — director-producer Abhishek Shah, and producers Ashish Patel, Mit Jani, and Prateek Gupta — with the stated aim of making meaningful cinema capable of reaching mass audiences, while encouraging the art of storytelling and bridging the gap between emerging creators and wider viewership.[1]
The company operates out of Ahmedabad and is associated with Videowala Productions LLP, a video production studio also based in Ahmedabad. Its name — Harfanmaula, an Urdu-Hindi term broadly meaning "versatile" or "jack of all trades" — reflects its collaborative, multi-disciplinary founding ethos.
Filmography
Goonga Pehelwan (2014)
Goonga Pehelwan (transl. Mute Wrestler) is a 2014 documentary film on the life and struggles of Virender Singh Yadav, one of India's most accomplished deaf athletes. Directed by Mit Jani, Prateek Gupta, and Vivek Chaudhary, the film was produced by Drishti Media, with Jani and Gupta — founding members of what became Harfanmaula Films — serving as directors.[2]
The documentary won the National Film Award for Best Debut Film of a Director (Non-Feature) at the 62nd National Film Awards in 2015.[3][4] The film was also selected as the opening film of the Indian Panorama at the 46th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, and received a Special Jury Mention at the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (2014).[5]
Hellaro (2019)
Hellaro (transl. The Outburst) is a 2019 Indian Gujarati period drama film co-written and directed by Abhishek Shah. It was produced by Ashish Patel, Nirav Patel, Aayush Patel, Prateek Gupta, Mit Jani, and Abhishek Shah under the banners of Saarthi Productions and Harfanmaula Films.[6]
The film features an ensemble cast of Jayesh More, Shraddha Dangar, Brinda Trivedi Nayak, Shachi Joshi, Niilam Paanchal, Tejal Panchasara, and Kausambi Bhatt, and marks the directorial debut of Abhishek Shah. The story revolves around a group of women living in the Rann of Kutch in the 1970s whose lives are transformed after a travelling drummer enters their village.[7]
Hellaro won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film at the 66th National Film Awards, making it the first Gujarati film to receive this honour. The thirteen female lead actresses also received the Special Jury Award for their collective performances.[6] The film was selected as the opening film at the Indian Panorama section of the 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), held in November 2019 in Goa.[7]
The film received widespread critical acclaim. Writing for The Times of India, Abhimanyu Joshi rated it 4 out of 5, praising the film's direction, story, screenplay, acting, cinematography, music, and choreography.[8] Namrata Joshi of The Hindu praised the production and stated the film questioned patriarchy while celebrating the colours and culture of Gujarat.[8] Jigar Ganatra of Mumbai Live rated it 4.5 out of 5, calling it a "masterpiece".[8] The film grossed over ₹15 crore at the box office and was later made available on MX Player on 4 April 2020.[8]
Kamthaan (2024)
Kamthaan (transl. Chaos or Commotion) is a 2024 Gujarati comedy film produced by Harfanmaula Films in association with PAM Studio, and directed by debutant filmmaker Dhrunad. The screenplay was written by Jaswant Parmar and Abhishek Shah, and is adapted from the bestselling Gujarati novel of the same name by celebrated author Ashwinee Bhatt.[9]
The film stars Hitu Kanodia as a police inspector, Darshan Jariwala, Sanjay Goradia, and Arvind Vaidya in key roles. The story follows a petty thief who accidentally robs the house of a police inspector, setting off a hilarious cat-and-mouse chase as law enforcement races to recover the stolen goods while a community of thieves rallies to protect one of their own.[10] Mit Jani served as creative producer, with music composed by Mehul Surti.[11]
The film was released in theatres on 2 February 2024 and received generally positive audience response, with viewers praising its situational humour and faithful adaptation of the source novel.[12]
Dhabkaaro (2026)
Dhabkaaro (transl. Heartbeat) is a 2026 Gujarati drama film directed and written by Abhishek Shah. The film was produced by Harfanmaula Films in association with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and The Moving Manch, marking Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment's first foray into Gujarati-language cinema in its 75th year in the Indian film industry.[13]
The film stars Deven Bhojani, Aarjav Trivedi, Tejal Panchasara, and Kumud Mishra in key roles. It follows Ashok Patel, a morally compromised businessman who, following a medical crisis, embarks on a journey from Ahmedabad to Dwarka — accompanied by a taxi driver — seeking forgiveness from those he has wronged.[14]
The film was released on 1 May 2026, coinciding with Gujarat Divas, and received positive reviews. Writing for Bollywood news outlet Koimoi, the reviewer praised Deven Bhojani's lead performance and called it "a powerful redemption drama".[15] Film critic Subhash K. Jha, writing for BollySpice, noted that Abhishek Shah had "wound his way around his vile protagonist's pilgrimage to reparation" with the skill he had demonstrated previously in Hellaro.[16]
Dhabkaaro recorded the highest opening weekend collection for a Gujarati film in 2026, grossing ₹2.12 crore worldwide in its first three days of release, and drew appreciation from prominent industry figures including Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker, and Shefali Shah.[17]
Filmography table
| Year | Title | Language | Role | Co-producers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Goonga Pehelwan | Hindi | Production (key personnel) | Drishti Media | 62nd National Film Award — Best Debut Director (Non-Feature); Indian Panorama Opening Film, IFFI 2015 |
| 2019 | Hellaro | Gujarati | Production | Saarthi Productions | National Film Award for Best Feature Film (66th); first Gujarati film to win; IFFI 50 Indian Panorama Opening Film |
| 2024 | Kamthaan | Gujarati | Production | PAM Studio | Adapted from bestselling novel by Ashwinee Bhatt; directed by Dhrunad |
| 2026 | Dhabkaaro | Gujarati | Production | Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, The Moving Manch | Highest opening weekend for a Gujarati film in 2026 |
Awards and recognition
| Year | Film | Award | Ceremony | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Goonga Pehelwan | National Film Award — Best Debut Director (Non-Feature) | 62nd National Film Awards | Won |
| 2015 | Goonga Pehelwan | Indian Panorama Opening Film | IFFI 2015 | Selected |
| 2019 | Hellaro | National Film Award for Best Feature Film | 66th National Film Awards | Won |
| 2019 | Hellaro | Special Jury Award — Ensemble Cast | 66th National Film Awards | Won |
| 2019 | Hellaro | Indian Panorama Opening Film | IFFI 50 | Selected |
See also
- Hellaro
- Dhabkaaro
- Kamthaan
- Gujarati cinema
- 66th National Film Awards
- National Film Award for Best Feature Film
- Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment
- Abhishek Shah (director)
References
- ↑ "About – Harfanmaula Films". Harfanmaula Films. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ "Goonga Pehelwan". Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ "List of Winners of 62nd Indian National Film Awards 2015". Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ "After Punia, 'Goonga Pehelwan' Virender Singh says he'll return Padma Shri". The Print. 2023-12-23. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ "Indie Meme presents Goonga Pehelwan: Story of a Deaf Wrestler". CultureMap Dallas. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "66th National Film Awards for 2018 announced". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 2019-08-09. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Gujarati movie 'Hellaro' wins National Award for Best Film". Scroll.in. 2019-08-09. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Hellaro – Critical reception". The Times Of India. Retrieved 2019-08-12.
- ↑ "The Makers of 'Hellaro' Unveil their upcoming Gujarati Feature Film – 'Kamthaan'". SP Times. 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ "The Makers of 'Hellaro' Unveil their upcoming Gujarati Feature Film – 'Kamthaan'". SP Times. 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ "Kamthaan". Moviefone. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ "Kamthaan (2024)". Letterboxd. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ "Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment enters Gujarati cinema with Dhabkaaro, sets May 1 release". Bollywood Hungama. 2026-03-27. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ "Dhabkaaro Movie Review: An Emotional Journey Of Redemption". Popcorn Reviewss. 2026-05-02. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ "Dhabkaaro Movie Review: A Powerful Redemption Drama Elevated By Deven Bhojani's Stellar Performance". Koimoi. 2026-05-01. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ "Dhabkaaro, In The Era Of Dhurandhar A Film That Values Humanism". BollySpice. 2026-05-01. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
- ↑ "Dhabkaaro Box Office: Scores 2 Crore+ Worldwide, Registering Biggest Opening Weekend For A Gujarati Film In 2026". Koimoi. 2026-05-04. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
External links
Template:Gujarati cinema Template:Indian film production companies
Category:Film production companies of India Category:Film production companies established in the 2010s Category:Companies based in Ahmedabad Category:Gujarati cinema Category:Indian production companies
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