EARTHING - A Story without Sound, Yet Speaks Volumes

On the surface, Imtiaz Ali’s latest short film “Earthing”, released for World Environment Day 2025, may appear like just another awareness campaign. But give it three minutes of your attention, and you’ll realize—it’s a quiet revolution. Featuring Ajay Devgn and Sharvari, and backed by the Bhamla Foundation in collaboration with the BMC and Ravin Group, this film is a masterstroke in cinematic subtlety and environmental urgency.

“Earthing” doesn’t rely on high drama or shocking statistics. It relies on stillness. Ajay Devgn plays a man disconnected—not from technology, but from the ground itself. Sharvari, in contrast, is present, grounded, in touch with nature. Through their silent interaction, the film draws a stark contrast between our increasingly artificial lifestyles and the innate peace of nature we’ve abandoned.

As Sharvari quietly lays out a mat and sits on the grass, barefoot, Devgn hesitates before following her lead. The act of touching the earth with your feet becomes symbolic—of surrender, of reconnection, of beginning again. This simple moment captures the film’s core message: To heal the Earth, we must first touch it again.

Mumbai’s Environmental Crossroads

The film’s message lands even harder when viewed through the lens of Mumbai’s current environmental reality. Once called the “City of Dreams,” Mumbai today is at a crossroads—between unrestrained urbanization and the urgent need for sustainable living. From the loss of mangroves to deteriorating air quality, the signs are everywhere.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s involvement in the film is significant. It represents an acknowledgment that healing has to be systemic, and it has to start now. The film subtly aligns with current movements in Mumbai to reduce plastic use, increase green cover, and promote waste segregation. But public participation remains inconsistent. Earthing reminds us that environmentalism isn’t just the government’s job—it’s ours too.

Go Green, But Start Small

The film doesn’t preach sweeping reforms. Instead, it suggests that the first act of environmental healing is deeply personal. Start by removing your shoes. Sit in the grass. Let your feet touch the soil. Feel the Earth again. In that simplicity lies power.

This is not just about symbolic action—it’s about recalibration. When we slow down, when we ground ourselves, we begin to respect nature more intuitively. From there, green habits—reducing waste, refusing plastic, conserving water—can become a way of life.

In a country where 70% of waste goes untreated and cities like Mumbai are grappling with shrinking green spaces, a film like Earthing is more than timely. It’s necessary. Imtiaz Ali, known for his soulful narratives, delivers a gentle but insistent push toward personal environmentalism.

Ajay Devgn and Sharvari don’t speak that much in the film—but their silence echoes louder

. It asks us: When was the last time you touched the Earth—not with your shoes, but with your soul?