Can you ever imagine celebrating something as horrifying as rape? Finding joy in the demolition of someone’s home? Being pleased when a person is beaten to death by an angry mob? These are acts that any reasonable person would condemn as barbaric. But what happens when an entire crowd—millions of people—start taking pleasure in such cruelty?
How has the meaning of humanity shifted so drastically in recent years? In a country where murder, rape, lynching, and hooliganism were once universally condemned, why are these same acts now celebrated by some?
This unsettling question forms the heart of The Sadist, a thought-provoking film by writer-director Kundan Shashiraj. The film delves deep into the changing psychology of society, media, and individuals. Have news channels, through manipulative and cunning tactics, altered the very fabric of humanity?
The story centers around a prime-time news anchor, posing difficult yet essential questions about society’s transformation. It examines how media narratives have influenced people to find happiness in violence and hatred, sparking a disturbing shift in collective mindset.
The 30-minute film features renowned actors Danish Husain, Vipin Sharma, Shishir Sharma, and Vineet Kumar. The Sadist will be showcased in private, invitation-only screenings in Mumbai, Delhi, and other major cities starting October 9. Following its festival circuit, plans are underway to bring this powerful story to a wider audience on an appropriate platform.
Produced by Dashmani Media Private Limited, Qissebaaz LLP, and actor Vipin Sharma, The Sadist offers a raw, critical examination of the dangerous path society has started to tread, urging viewers to reflect on how we’ve come to celebrate the very acts that should horrify us all.
