Funds for Chuskit were raised via Kickstarter, where 244 backers pledged $98,499 to help bring this project to life during a period of 5 weeks in September – October in 2012. The project was later also developed as part of the Screenwriters Lab organized by the National Film Development Corporation NFDC, which is currently accepting applications!), under the mentorship of the Dutch writer Jolein Laarman. The film has been part of several film festivals starting 2018, and won the Golden Gateway Award at Mumbai Film Festival 2018 in the Half Ticket (Children’s) Category.
The film is special for many reasons other than being based off a true story.
As per the Kickstarter campaign, and in her own words, this film is close to the director’s heart because her sister, Vidhya Ramasubban, has dedicated many years of her life working with the differently-abled in the remote regions of Ladakh. She is a founding member of a disability movement called People’s Action Group for Inclusion and Rights (PAGIR) in Ladakh and a tour company called ‘Himalaya on Wheels’ (HoW!), which caters to tourism for people with disabilities and the elderly — a first of its kind in India.
And it is based off a successful book, written by another of Vidhya’s friends, Sujatha Padmanabhan, who wrote a children’s book ‘Chuskit Goes To School’ based on Vidhya’s efforts to get one disabled girl to school.
Priya Ramasubban, is a Chennai born filmmaker, who’s previous work includes Lost Kings of Israel and Divine Delinquents for National Geographic, several episodes for the long-running series Digging for the Truth on History Channel, and episodes for the series Into the Unknown on Discovery Channel. She was written, directed and produced Chuskit.