CRD (2016)
A fearless Hindi drama about artistic ambition, rebellion, and the cost of creative freedom set against the charged world of competitive college theater.
CRD - Movie Information
CRD - Plot
The Purushottam Karandak — a real-life inter-college festival in which theater students compete head-to-head — becomes an ideological battleground in this bold,brilliant exploration of the creative impulse. IFFLA alum Kranti Kanade leaves no radical idea or experimental flourish behind as he tells the story of Chetan, an aspiring young writer who dreams of winning the competition but struggles to find his own artistic voice. After Chetan clashes with his tyrannical acting professor, he enlists his own group of misfits to perform a play against his college's official team. If only he could come up with a great story and keep his own temper and libido in check. And should true art even be placed in a competition, where one vision is declared the best?
CRD - Trailer
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CRD - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kranti Kanadé
Main Cast
- Abhay Mahajan
- Saurabh Saraswat
- Mrinmayee Godbole
- Pravin Tarde
- Vinay Sharma
- Geetika Tyagi
- Isha Keskar
Writers
- Kranti Kanadé
- Dharmakirti Sumant
CRD - FAQs
What is CRD about?
CRD centers on Chetan, a passionate young writer who dreams of winning the Purushottam Karandak, a real inter-college theater competition in India. After clashing with his overbearing professor, he assembles a ragtag group to stage a rival play, wrestling with questions of artistic identity, competition, and creative freedom.
Is CRD based on a true story or real event?
CRD is inspired by the real-life Purushottam Karandak, a prestigious inter-college theater festival held in Pune, India. While the characters are fictional, the competitive atmosphere and ideological tensions depicted in the film reflect genuine experiences within Maharashtra's vibrant college theater culture.
Who directed CRD?
CRD was directed by Kranti Kanadé, an IFFLA alumnus known for his bold, experimental storytelling approach. Kanadé also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Dharmakirti Sumant, bringing a deeply personal and radical creative vision to the film.
Who are the main actors in CRD?
The cast features Saurabh Saraswat as Chetan, the aspiring writer at the heart of the story, alongside Abhay Mahajan as Netra and Mrinmayee Godbole as Persis. Pravin Tarde, Vinay Sharma, Geetika Tyagi, and Isha Keskar round out the ensemble.
When was CRD released?
CRD was released on November 4, 2016, in the United States. The Hindi-language film runs approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes and was produced in India under the direction of Kranti Kanadé.
What language is CRD in?
CRD is a Hindi-language film produced in India. The dialogue is entirely in Hindi, making it a part of the broader Indian independent cinema landscape. Viewers who prefer subtitles should check their streaming platform for available subtitle options.
Does CRD question whether art belongs in competition?
Absolutely — that tension is at the very soul of the film. CRD provocatively asks whether genuine artistic expression can survive a competitive framework that demands one vision be crowned "the best." It's one of the film's most thought-provoking and enduring questions, left deliberately open for the audience to wrestle with.
What are some movies similar to CRD?
If you enjoyed CRD, you might also like films exploring ambition, identity, and creative struggle. From Indian cinema, Ghar Bazar and Umar share thematic ground, while internationally, American Beauty and Pulp Fiction offer similarly bold, unconventional storytelling. Inception and The Prestige also resonate with CRD's layered narrative ambition.
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