While we sit in air-conditioned homes and offices, grooving to Haye Garmi as temperatures soar, traffic cops, construction workers, and farmers have no such escape. As the mercury, electricity bills, and tempers rise, the climate crisis we predicted is now knocking at our doors. Writer-director Tej Sisodia, in collaboration with Civic Studios, explores how rising temperatures are affecting the middle class and underprivileged through his short film, It’s Only 47°C. Starring Sharib Hashmi, the film is co-produced by Naseeruddin Shah, who also lends his voice to Swanand Kirkire’s poem featured in it. In a conversation with mid-day, Sisodia reveals how a chat with climate researcher, producer, and friend Harish Borah sparked the idea, and why he believes climate change is a man-made crisis that can no longer be ignored.
Excerpts from the interview.
What led you to the idea of having a conversation about heat?
This idea came from my friend Harish. I always spoke to him about what was happening with regard to climate. In 2024, the temperatures [in India] were massively high. In Delhi, Telangana and a lot of other places, temperatures almost crossed 50° C. At that point, a lot of factory workers, construction workers, and police constables suffered, and some people died, but somehow, it never came out in the media. I wanted to do something about it.
Tej Sisodia
How did the collaboration with the studio and Shah happen?
We reached out to production houses and multiple studios. But everyone wanted to know their return on the investment [ROI]. Naseer sir had contributed to Harish’s [2041 ClimateForce Antarctic Expedition in 2022]. So, we reached out. Within 24 hours, he got back and said, ‘I will help you guys make this film.’ Once it was shot, we needed funds for post-production. That’s when Civic Studios came onboard. We opened the film at Mumbai Climate Week, followed by London Climate Week, and next month it is going to the New York Climate Week, which is one of the biggest in the world.
Why did you choose heat wave to explore class divide?
In India, there is a lot of inequality. If you talk to a farmer about heat and the experience of it, he will always blame God. But climate change and the massive problems it creates are man-made. I come from a farming family in Uttar Pradesh, so I have seen my father’s struggle. Climate change is because of greed. The people at the top, the industrialists, and decision makers are not impacted by the heatwaves. If farmers, rickshaw drivers, or food vendors don’t work during the day, they won’t have food for their children in the evening. There is a clear divide, and we have addressed it subtly.
While climate warriors are fighting to educate, mining and deforestation continue. At what point will we collectively realise that we have reached a threshold?
I think as humans, until a fire starts burning outside our house, we don’t feel the pain. I think the poem that Swanand has beautifully written has this line that means, ‘Until the fire comes beneath us, we won’t feel it’. Having said that, a lot of good things are happening in the space right now. People are voicing their concerns. While I am not a climate warrior or an activist, as a storyteller, I can highlight people’s issues through my stories. I am also working on a feature film in the same space.
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An excerpt from the poem
Andhere par dosh dhara, khud jaa baithe ujaalon mein.
Ulte sawaalon se kuchla hai,
sawaalon ko jawaabon ne.
Jiske dil mein laalach hai,
ussi ke haath mein taqat hai.
Aur humse kehna dharti bachalo,
ye inka gazab ka natak hai.
Pehle chaahe hum mitt jaayein,
baari tumhari bhi aayegi.
Jo lagi aag to saare jalenge,
tum bhi cheekhoge mit-te huye
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