GoldRush (The Neharawalas)

You may wonder about these people who meticulously sweep the drains in front of goldsmith's and shops that sell the precious metal/ornaments. They are the gold hunters, at their work day in and day out trying to distill gold from the dirt in front of the shops. Looking at them, you will see that they have not hit it big, but it is a profession and not all are permitted to do it. This film tries to document these people at work.

The hunt for gold has become an addiction to them. While filming, we felt as if we do not exist.

PRESS REVIEWS: LINKS

Pratidin - http://epratidin.in/epapermain.aspx?queryed=9&eddate=11%2f3%2f2009 - (PAGE 10)

Anandabazar - http://www.anandabazar.com/archive/1091031/31cine.htm

Aajkal - http://www.aajkaal.net/archive/report.php?hidd_report_id=118928

Times of India - Article – Striking Gold - http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/getpage.aspx?pageid=28&pagesize=&edid=TOIKM&edlabel=TOIKM&mydateHid=18-11-2009&pubname=Times+of+India+-+Kolkata&edname=Kolkata&publabel=TOI

India Today http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story?sId=72011&secid=22

The Sunday Indian http://www.thesundayindian.com/22112009/flip/english.html (page 46 to 49)

I never knew about the Neharawalas, looking at them from a glance, they seemed like garbage collecting people. Who would believe that you may find gold in the drains!

I found out first when I got inquisitive about a group of these people I saw very seriously cleaning a part of a drain, near a footpath. I met some youngsters and some elderly people who were willing to work with me, and we began to shoot.

But to my disappointment I could not find out the filtering process of gold. It was their secret and they kept it among themselves.

In the end I am satisfied with the FILM! I only hope my audience finds the GOLD from it….

Raja Dey