Against the Tide

As the Arabian Sea’s fish population dwindles, two fishermen from Mumbai’s Koli community endeavor to change their fortunes. United by a shared ambition, their friendship is tested as they employ different methods. While Rakesh adheres to practices handed down through generations of ancestors, Ganesh seeks modern methods that promise a bigger catch in the short-term but damage the ecosystem, dooming both men’s long-term prospects. Ultimately powerless against the perilous waters and growing mountains of debt, Rakesh and Ganesh try their best to survive and care for their growing families. Bookending it all, amidst centuries-old songs of valor and courage, is the customary hum of fishing boats and their promise of hope.