85 min | 2025 | India
a film by gautam sonti
Ambition, success and failure - a search for purpose in the fiercely competitive world of the Indian Institute of Technology. Seven students over seven years, layered with reflections of alumni from 35 years ago.
SYNOPSIS
The CEOs of Google, IBM and Adobe are all graduates of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Seven young people from seven parts of the country (the Seven Samurai) dream of joining this institute. Competing against one million applicants, they gain admission to IIT, but are soon disillusioned. Will they make their presence felt on the world stage? Or will they burn out along the way?The filmmaker, an IIT alumnus, follows the Seven Samurai over seven years—from their first semester to the third year of their careers. What emerges is a portrait of Indian society and its educational institutions that push young people to the brink, in pursuit of material success.Interwoven with their journey are four of the filmmaker’s classmates from 35 years ago, including one who made an audiovisual on IIT student life. As he rediscovers old slides and struggles to sync them with the audio track, this forgotten past frames the film’s exploration of ambition, success, and failure - in the race to win at all cost.WHY THIS FILM MATTERS
TechnoCats isn't just a film about students. It's about the cost and meaning of excellence, the reality behind the rankings, and the quiet resilience of young minds navigating one of India's most intense institutions. By supporting this film, you're helping amplify a truth that deserves to be heard.WHY NOW
The time for this story has never been more urgent. Student suicides and psychological distress at elite institutions are increasing. Today's students face unique pressures as technology reshapes their futures. As AI transforms engineering careers, what does technical education mean? India is reconsidering how it educates its brightest minds. IIT graduates hold unprecedented global influence and can inspire change. This isn't just nostalgia - it's a timely examination of an institution at crossroads.WHERE WE ARE
We’ve reached a near final cut stage and have extensively tested the film with diverse audiences. We’ve had 7 rough cut screenings - 4 in Bengaluru (Bangalore) and 3 in Delhi. The film will be completed by Nov 2025 and premiered in Feb 2026.FUND, AMPLIFY, JOIN
Support the production of TechnoCats and help tell the real, lived stories behind IIT Delhi's reputation. This is your chance to back a film that matters - to students, to society, and to all who've been part of this journey.