From Faculty to Filmmaker: 鈥淎ye Zindagi鈥� Tells the Heartwarming Story of a Liver Transplant Journey

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From Faculty to Filmmaker: 鈥淎ye Zindagi鈥� Tells the Heartwarming Story of a Liver Transplant Journey

Dec. 15, 2022

A feature film written and directed by Anirban Bose, M.D. premiered in the US in October, right here in Rochester! The film will have a free screening at RIT's MAGIC Spell Studios on December 17.

Anirban Bose, M.D.

Bose is a clinical associate professor at 麻豆视频from the division of Nephrology. His film is titled Aye Zindagi, which is Hindi for “Oh Life.” The film is based on a true story of a young man in need of a liver transplant in India, who bonds with a grief counsellor, following his hope and faith in life and humanity. The film focuses on the human aspects of transplantation. You can view the .

“I’m very privileged in my profession as a doctor,” Bose said, “because patients tell us their intimate stories. Now I can tell this story through film and share the good that comes from organ donation. One person’s grief can help relieve someone else from having grief. This crosses the boundaries of cultures, religions, and races. It’s a human story.” With this in mind, the film is less about the transplant itself, and focuses more on the human stories behind it.

Bose has worked as an attending in Nephrology at Strong Memorial Hospital and is a member of the transplant team, but has international ties in the world of organ transplantation. He is a member of the US chapter of the Mohan Foundation, a not-for-profit charity organization in India. Eight years ago, at a fundraiser for this foundation, Bose met the man whose story would inspire this film. It was then that Bose realized the art of storytelling could help spread the positive effect of organ donation. “One person can save seven lives,” said Bose.

To make the movie a success, Bose took film classes at Monroe Community College and the University of Rochester, and partnered with Rochester Institute of Technology’s Magic Spell Studios for some of the special effects. To encourage his efforts, 麻豆视频supported Bose going part-time so he could travel to India and work on the film, which was shot in 25 days.