Ultra Media & Entertainment Group is set to release ‘Jadugoda’, a socially conscious short film that sheds light on the struggles of tribal communities living near India’s uranium mines.

The film will premiere globally on August 29, coinciding with the United Nations–declared International Day Against Nuclear Tests, a day observed to highlight the catastrophic effects of nuclear explosions and to push for a safer, nuclear-free world. Audiences can watch the film on Ultra Bollywood’s YouTube channel and Ultra Play OTT.

The short film has already made its mark on the international festival circuit, winning the TATA – Best Short Fiction Award and the Samuel Lawrence Foundation Award for Best Young Filmmaker (Uranium) in 2024. It has been screened at several renowned festivals including Ecoproformance, Kaalimantan Indonesia, Kino Festival, Pune Short Film Festival, Signs Film Festival Kerala, and Stuttgart.

In a statement, Sushilkumar Agrawal, CEO of Ultra Media & Entertainment Group, said, “‘Jadugoda’ is a poignant reminder of how development often comes at an unseen human cost. At Ultra, we have always believed in supporting stories that not only entertain but also create meaningful conversations.

“Releasing the film on the International Day Against Nuclear Tests is our way of amplifying its message to a global audience because cinema doesn’t just entertain—it sparks dialogue, questions narratives, and gives voice to stories the world needs to hear.”

The film has been written and directed by Satish Munda, who grew up in Ranchi, around 150 km from Jadugoda. Sharing his inspiration, Munda explained, “Once known as the ‘land of magic’ for its lush forests, Jadugoda turned into what many locals call a man-made hell when uranium mining began fuelling India’s nuclear ambitions in the 90s. This uranium, the fodder for India’s nuclear dream, has also silently destroyed generations of tribals. Our short film does not take a political stand — instead, it seeks to spark dialogue around one vital question: is development truly possible without declination?”

Adding to this, Rajat Agrawal, COO & Director-Producer at Ultra Media & Entertainment Group, noted, “ ‘Jadugoda’ stands as another milestone in Ultra’s growing slate of thought-provoking projects, reaffirming its role in using cinema not just as entertainment, but as a catalyst for awareness and social impact. By bringing the film to a global audience on this important day, we hope to inspire dialogue, empathy, and change.”

Founded in 1982, Ultra Media & Entertainment Group is among India’s leading entertainment companies, with a vast library of over 2,500 titles spanning films, TV shows, documentaries, and regional cinema. The company has also established a presence in the OTT space through Ultra Jhakaas for Marathi content, Ultra Play for Hindi films and web series and Ultra Gaane for music videos.