Several housewives in India are often reduced to the domestic chores they are responsible for. With little to no repayment of any kind for their emotional and physical labour, they are further deprived of their individuality. The film explores the experiences of one such woman who still holds on to reading her favourite childhood books, perhaps even as a means of escape, even if momentarily so, from her oppressive husband. Despite being tied to household chores that form the predominant part of her routine, she still finds herself turning to her stories for comfort. More than marriage, it is her evidently patriarchal husband who keeps her from only a single hobby that she allows herself, when she can truly enjoy simply being on her own. However, sometimes it is the little acts which become the biggest step towards the road to freedom and agency, and it is this realisation that the film seeks to leave its viewer with, conveyed using a pivotal decision that the protagonist takes at the conclusion of the story.

Devika | Short Film Nominee

Shorted

The film is a story of heartbreaking rejection and the emotional toll it is capable of taking on a person. It presents two aspiring artists, bonded by their shared dreams and struggles, navigating obstacles in their individual creative paths. At the same time, while chasing their aspirations, they find themselves haunted by visions of a mule, symbolizing the burdens and weight of their dreams. Their journey is fraught with more closed doors than opportunity, leading them deeper into despair. Yet, amidst the chaos and desolation, the artists are unable to separate themselves from this pursuit for it is the very thing that defines their entire existence.
 

The film’s metaphorical images are interspersed with monochromatic visuals that serve as a contrast between reality and the worlds of symbolism it traverses. There is further sincerity in the dejection and hopelessness that the narrative and screenplay endeavor to paint for the viewer. However, in this realm where success remains ever-elusive, and dark thematic concerns abound within the plot, what would eventually be the fate of the two characters?

Ankit Singha

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