UDDHRUTI BY AKHILESH JONNALA
INT. VILLAGE – DAY
Dark, heavy clouds loom over the village as relentless rain pours down. Murky water surges through the narrow lanes, engulfing homes and possessions. Villagers struggle against the rushing flood, clutching whatever they can to survive. AKHIL (late 20s), the village’s water management officer, and his FATHER, the head of the village, are drenched but resolute as they assist people in reaching higher ground.
AKHIL (V.O.)
Our village was submerged. Torrential rains transformed the entire place into a raging river. My father and I did everything possible to aid those who lost their shelters.
INT. ENORMOUS CARGO VESSEL – STORMY NIGHT AT SEA
Miles away, on a colossal cargo ship swaying violently in the tempest, a group of men sneaks towards the edge, eyes gleaming with avarice. Two massive CRATES, cloaked in mist and rain, are carefully lowered over the side and let slip into the turbulent ocean, splashing into the roiling waves.
AKHIL (V.O.)
Unbeknownst to us, far away on a ship, a sinister act was underway. A group of greedy men, driven by profit, dumped monstrous sea creatures into the ocean—sealed within containers that drifted toward our village.
EXT. FLOODED VILLAGE – DAY
As waters rise, a RESCUE CREW arrives. They assist the villagers, distributing relief supplies and constructing makeshift rafts. Among them is a MYSTERIOUS WOMAN, her face obscured by a hood, cap, and mask. She stands apart, observing the turmoil before silently joining in to clear a passage.
AKHIL (V.O.)
Amid the chaos, a rescue squad appeared. Among them, a strange woman joined us without uttering a word.
EXT. CRUMBLING BUILDING – LATER
Akhil and the team hear FAINT SCREAMS. They dash toward a building on the verge of collapse under the pressure of floodwaters. A FRANTIC FATHER grabs Akhil’s arm, his face drained of color.
FATHER
(In a panicked tone)
A black beast dragged my daughter into the water!
The team exchanges looks, horror dawning on their faces.
AKHIL
(Reassuringly)
Don’t worry. I swear we’ll get her back.
EXT. TEMPORARY CAMP – NIGHT
The villagers huddle in a temporary shelter as AKHIL’s MOTHER prepares food for the weary. The MYSTERIOUS WOMAN approaches Akhil and removes her mask, revealing a bald head and intense, unwavering eyes.
AKHIL (V.O.)
As I turned to help, the woman approached, finally revealing her face. She had no hair, but her gaze was strong and unyielding.
EXT. FLOODED TUNNEL – NIGHT
A sudden, guttural ROAR reverberates across the village. Akhil’s head whips around, his pulse quickening. He dashes outside to see a GIGANTIC BLACK SHARK gliding through the flood tunnel. Its ferocious eyes glint, and a tattered piece of his FATHER’S CLOTHING hangs from its maw.
Time seems to slow. The SHARK moves soundlessly, an ominous presence in the flood.
AKHIL (V.O.)
My heart sank as I noticed something in its mouth—a scrap of my father’s clothing.
EXT. VILLAGE OUTSKIRTS – NIGHT
Akhil stumbles, disoriented, through the churning waters. He searches frantically for his parents but only encounters an ANCIENT PRIEST near the water’s edge. The priest’s face is calm yet stern.
PRIEST
Akhil, you were destined for this moment. Save the village—and your father. Recover his body, and I vow to bring him back to life.
Akhil’s expression hardens with resolve. He nods and turns toward the floodwaters.
AKHIL (V.O.)
Filled with determination and fury, I plunged into the water, my eyes locked on the black shark. I was prepared to confront it and rescue my father.
UNDERWATER – FLOODED TUNNEL – NIGHT
Beneath the swirling floodwaters, Akhil swims towards the formidable black shark. Their eyes meet—a clash of human and beast, a battle to the death.
Just as they brace for impact…
INT. BEDROOM – MORNING
Akhil jolts awake, gasping for breath. Sunlight streams through the window.
AKHIL (V.O.)
Sometimes, dreams compel us to face challenges beyond our imagination, perhaps even preparing us for what lies ahead.
Story by AKHILESH JONNALA