Lifted was Abhinav’s first directorial experiment—shot during the lockdown, in a time when stories were the only way to stay afloat. The original project couldn’t be completed, but its spirit never quite left.

What followed was a journey of growth, collaborations, and films that found their way into film school—thanks, in no small part, to Arav Akolkar, the actor who became a creative constant.

Years later, for no reason other than joy, Lifted was made again—with Arav, of course. Some stories are worth returning to. This was one of them.