At the heart of ‘Machraja’ lies a constant battle that is being waged between the carnal, worldly desires, and the spiritual realm of discipline and control. The protagonist, stuck in the center of this, is being aggressively pulled in opposite directions that is leading to a dangerously high level of cosmic radiation over Mumbai. It is the link that connects these two seemingly unconnected occurrences upon which the narrative pivots. 

The writing is marked by a sense of the absurd, along with an experimental approach, both of which make the film an entertaining watch. Because it does not take itself too seriously, the tonality remains unencumbered and instead, becomes light and humorous. The performances embellish the film further, ensuring that on the whole the final result achieves freshness in its storytelling and narratorial progression.

Machraja | Short Film Nominee

An old man is in bed, about to fall asleep when he is visited by his grandson and a night, perhaps mundane for the characters involved, but eventful for the viewer, soon follows. As the younger man, with a swollen mouth, bleeding gums and a noticeably bad toothache, tries to prepare his grandfather for bed, several memories are invoked by the latter. It is in this manner that the film exhibits surprising and unexpected moments of poignancy within its folds. The narrative ropes in history, the partition of India, the turmoils of a life already lived, the closure which may or may have not been achieved and simply a suggestion of the passage of time that ties it all together in a cohesive, comprehensive whole. The film is endearing, engaging and amusing in equal measure, and leaves the viewer with a sense of a complete product at its conclusion.

Kenchi Aur Pankha  | Short Film of the Day

The simplest, most average-looking households can have the darkest secrets. This specific thought remains intrinsic to the narrative. At the same time, it makes it impossible to talk about it without giving away spoilers - consider yourself warned. Tying humour, drama and suspense together is the story of Aryan End Mei Nahi Bachega, triggering a sense of foreboding in the very title itself. 

 As you begin to take off the layers of the film, ominous hints are found to be strewn throughout. Be it in the form of bandaged wrists of a young girl or in the frenzied voice of our protagonist's peer who desperately warns him to leave his house. And yet, the viewer is inclined to brush it all aside as they are made to participate in the same calm which Aryan exudes, ensuring you that indeed there isn't anything wrong around him. In the process, the film becomes a portrayal of the adult world and its many complexities from the point of view of a child. Yet to be inducted into it, his shock, horror and utter confusion at what lays ahead of him are the only companions he is left with when confronted with the truth. 
 

Without explicitly spelling out anything, the film also makes a pertinent comment about discrimination to the extent of it turning into violent, cruel acts of murder, especially against a particular community. It is also the narrative's endeavor to assert its message powerfully and reveal all of these extremely jarring activities by way of characters with the most sombre, calm appearance. The film exhibits vision, the tonality and approach required to execute it, deep potential and a strong story. However, the seamlessness that could have tied all of these elements together seems to be missing in some parts, making it lose crucial points. The biggest takeaway, still, remains the story which becomes bigger than any character or weakness in the narrative, ensuring that you sit tight till the very end to eventually be able to get to the heart of the matter.

Aryan End Main Nahi Bachega | Short Film Nominee

A tween boy has made the massive mistake of violating the privacy of his two elder sisters. Add to it the reality of a pandemic where everyone is recovering from a coronavirus infection, is confined within close quarters, and no external distraction is available in the form of school or classes, and we have a fully prepared recipe for chaos at our hands. It is the same reality which is realized by the non-fiction narrative of the film. By way of the documentation of the fight among the three siblings, the film offers a funny, lucid and pretty straightforward communication of its intentions. The idea to turn around a mundane, everyday aspect of the lives of the siblings into an engaging narrative further exhibits potential, albeit showing a want of some tautness in its progression of events. Overall, the final product is endearing, sweet and heartwarming in its innocence and sincerity.

Lockdown Blues | Lockdown Film Challenge

The film is a glimpse into an afternoon when a woman is trying to put her little one to sleep. The boy has all kinds of antics up his sleeve, absolutely refusing to be put into his bed. To engage, distract, and eventually lull him into slumber, the woman begins to sing a child’s rhyme about a sadhu baba who would get him a bag full of toys. This is accompanied by the strangest series of events developing before her as she finds an eerily similar character staring at her from across the balcony opposite her window. 

Things continue to develop, and are attempted to be mingled with a dream-like blur. However, when this flight of fancy ends, what disconcerting events would it have left in its wake? It is precisely this question that the narrative strives to present and explore.

Himangshu Arya

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