Filmmaker Mitul Patel fell in love with cinema at a young age, and it had such a positive impact on him that he wanted to recreate that same feeling for others by telling his own stories. The Indian talent made the leap from acclaimed short films to directing his debut feature, Mercy, at just 21 years old.
The story of a devoted son faced with the life-altering dilemma of ending life support for his sick mother will screen in London at this year’s UK Asian Film Festival, which runs from 1–11 May. Patel is looking forward to Mercy’s global release and is already planning several projects, including another feature and a fictional series.
Eastern Eye caught up with him to discuss his film.
Mitul Patel’s ‘Mercy’ sparks global debate on love, loss, and morality. Screening now at UK Asian Film Festival
How do you feel about Mercy being selected at this year’s UK Asian Film Festival?
"It is a huge honour. I feel incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to share my film at such a prestigious festival. It feels like all the love and hard work over the past two and a half years has truly been validated. I am especially grateful to my producers, Raj Vasudeva and Anuradha Sachdev at Everclear Films, for supporting and believing in me. I also want to thank the entire cast and crew for their support."
Tell us about Mercy.
"The film follows a son faced with the heart-breaking dilemma of having to pull the plug on his sick mother on the eve of Christmas. It explores the grey, deeply personal nature of such a decision, presenting all sides with empathy, through the lens of a simple family story."
What inspired the story?
"An interview with [actor] Paresh Rawal deeply moved me. He shared his experience of being unable to make the decision to pull the plug on his mother. She passed away before he could decide, and he believed she did so to spare him a lifetime of guilt. That moment revealed how complex and morally grey such situations are—and inspired me to explore them through a love story between a mother and her son."
What was the biggest challenge of making this film?
"As a first-time filmmaker, everything was new, and there were many challenges. First, I had to convince someone to back my story and believe in my ability as a director—and for that, I am so thankful to my producers. It was also my first day on any feature film set. I had the story and the drive, but figuring everything out was a constant challenge. I could not have done it without such a stellar cast and crew. With all the support, the journey became incredibly rewarding and filled with unforgettable memories."
Who are you hoping connects with this movie?
"The film has many characters, with different arcs that audiences might connect to. It is truly for everyone. But most importantly, for those who have been through something similar, I hope they feel the care with which we have made this film. If it moves them, that would mean the most."
What is your favourite moment in this movie?
"There are many moments I love. It was amazing to direct and work with [actor] Adil Hussain as a first-time director—it was a huge confidence booster. I loved that everyone stayed true to their characters and delivered such real performances."
Who is your filmmaking hero?
"There are so many filmmakers I admire—from [Christopher] Nolan to [Rajkumar] Hirani. If I had to pick one, it would be Steven Spielberg. His range is incredible. I hope to follow a similar path by exploring different genres, telling unique stories, and not being afraid to take risks—even if it means failing sometimes."
Why should we all come to watch Mercy at the UK Asian Film Festival?
"Because this film will make you feel something. It will not give you all the answers, but it might make you question a few things in life. It is emotionally honest, deeply relatable, and I hope it leaves you with something to take home and talk about."
Mercy screens at Rich Mix in London on Monday (5 May), as part of the UK Asian Film Festival, which runs from Thursday (1 May) to Sunday (11 May). For more details, visit www.tonguesonfire.com.
