Indie Shorts Mag
"Homeless: Putrid Relationships, Newfound Friendships, and A Lovely Dog Caught in Between"
Trailer
Logline
A dog abandoned by his family, finds love with a homeless person. Inspired by the colours of the City of Vancouver, this film is dedicated to the millions of animals who are left Homeless everyday.
Director Bio
Rikhil specializes in narratives that explore the beauty and complexity of everyday life. His career launched with the impactful directorial feature debut, Time Out. Notably one of the youngest filmmakers in India to prominently feature LGBTQ2IAS+ voices, his work gained international reach and is now streaming worldwide on Netflix. Rikhil's portfolio includes directing and producing short series for established OTT platforms and creating compelling commercials. He remains committed to bringing diverse and meaningful stories to the screen, exploring human complexities with authenticity, as demonstrated by current projects like Homeless.
Producer Bio
Shachi is a seasoned producer with over a decade of experience and a sharp instinct for story, honed as a Script Reader at Netflix. One of India’s youngest producers, she made her mark with Timeout—a bold, LGBTQ-themed debut backed by Viacom18 and later streamed on Netflix. Since then, she has produced digital series, international documentaries, and commercials for top global brands. With a global lens and a passion for diverse storytelling, Shachi brings creativity and strategy to every project.
Director's Statement
When I first moved to Canada, one of the first things I noticed was the incredible dog culture in Vancouver. As someone who’s traveled all over the world, I’ve never seen a city so open and accepting of animals. The bond between people and pets here feels unique—dogs are as much a part of the urban fabric as the people themselves. However, as with any city, there’s an underbelly to the story. In Vancouver, like everywhere, there are painful moments of pet abandonment, often tied to broader struggles.
This story is inspired by a homeless person I see near my apartment, someone who has a beautiful dog that sleeps under a duvet on a warm Vancouver summer night. That image stuck with me—so simple, yet so powerful. It’s a quiet depiction of the resilience of both human and animal in a world that often forgets them.
In film school, they often tell you, "Don’t make a film with a dog." The challenge of keeping a dog in every frame, maintaining the narrative, and making sure it’s not just a cute image but a meaningful part of the story is no small feat. But for me, this dog is not just a character; it’s a symbol of the bond between people and their pets, a bond that is rarely explored in mainstream cinema. This film is about the shared vulnerability, love, and survival between them and their animal companion. Also, we haven't used any VFX in the film, our actor Rocco-the-Adorabull has done all the tricks himself, he even dubbed for the film with his own voice!
Cast & Crew
Director – Rikhil Bahadur
Producer – Shachi Sanjay Sharma, Rikhil Bahadur
Writers – Shachi Sanjay Sharma, Rikhil Bahadur
Cast
Roufus – Rocco The Adorabull
Blakely David – Fred
Sam van Gogh – Katie
Evelyn Tran – Linda
Jimmy Burke – The Stealer
Director of Photography – Dan Barham
Editor – Rikhil Bahadur
Composer – Nick Zwetzich
Production Designer – Luana Pinhanez
Dog Trainer – Jennifer Dercole
Hair & Make Up – Taneesha Boyson
Sound Design & Mix – Sarit Sekhar Chatterjee
BTS Stills – Marc De Vinci
1st AD – Megan Markotan
Production Sound - Zak Goldberg, Megan Markotan, Ashtyn Pires
1st AC – Jonathan Gogoi
Gaffer, Grip – Zak Goldberg
Gaffer, Grip - Apurv Swami
Production Coordinators – Jackie Yang, Juliana Pakhniy
Stunt Coordinator – Jacob
Marketing & Poster Design – Christine Biala
Poster Stills – Kristen Bergum