DESCRIPTION: Watch the stories of these women from a small village of Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, who have been empowered by #HDFCBank Sustainable Livelihood Initiative. It has helped them with access to a better livelihood. The initiative has also provided them with financial and non-financial services such as occupational training, credit counseling, and financial literacy training.
The film crew from Santanu Productions traveled all the way to Chidambaram from Mumbai. It was fun shooting in a small village for two days. The stories of their struggle for survival were heart touching. The simplicity of their lives and resolve to recuperate back gave them all the courage to fight their circumstance. The innocence on their face was very genuine. A plateful of Idli, Sambar, and chutney just for Rs. 1.00, simply cannot imagine in today’s times!
All in all, a happy ending was something that we brought back captured in our cameras. Worth a watch.
HDFC BANK – SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD INITIATIVE
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🎥 Case Study: Women Empowerment Film from Rural Tamil Nadu
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Client
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HDFC Bank – CSR Division
Location
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Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
Overview
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HDFC Bank’s Sustainable Livelihood Initiative (SLI) empowers women in rural India by offering access to financial and non-financial services such as credit counseling, vocational training, and financial literacy programs. This film captures the personal journeys of women from a small village near Chidambaram who have transformed their lives through the initiative.
Project Objective
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To produce an emotionally engaging short film that highlights the impact of SLI on ground — showcasing real women, their challenges, their progress, and the dignity of livelihood earned through empowerment.
Approach and Experience
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• Our film crew from Santanu Productions traveled from Mumbai to Chidambaram to shoot over two days.
• We interacted with women who shared moving stories of hardship, resilience, and recovery.
• The crew captured candid moments — women attending training, managing small enterprises, and sharing their stories with quiet strength.
• The production relied on minimal setup to preserve the authenticity and natural simplicity of the environment.
What Moved Us
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• The unwavering spirit of women who turned their lives around despite limited means.
• The genuine innocence and warmth in their smiles.
• A simple village meal of idli, sambar, and chutney for just one rupee — a moment that stayed with us.
• The overwhelming hospitality and grounded lifestyle that made every frame meaningful.
Post-Production and Impact
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• Heartfelt storytelling with live sync sound and natural ambient audio
• Clean visual tone with warm grading to reflect rural life with dignity
• Use of simple graphic overlays to explain the SLI program
• The final film offers a perfect blend of emotion, context, and social impact
Outcome
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• The film became a key asset for HDFC Bank’s CSR communications, showcasing their on-ground impact.
• It is now used across platforms — from internal screenings to digital promotions and stakeholder engagement.
Final Note
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What we brought back wasn’t just footage — it was a slice of human resilience, captured through real smiles, real struggles, and the real power of community-led change.
Worth a watch. Worth remembering.
For more stories like this, visit www.santanu.biz
#SantanuProductions #CSR #hdfcbank #sustainablelivlihood #womenempowerment #Rural
Audiovisual created by Santanu Productions - A Premium Corporate Video Maker in Mumbai. For more information please visit - https://www.santanu.biz or email us at mail@santanu.biz
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