At its onset, ‘Adbhut’ gives little inkling of the direction it is headed in, one that attempts the tone of a horror-fantasy/thriller. Anmol opens the door to find an unexpected guest at his doorstep, the eponymous protagonist of the film. The duo is soon completed by a third friend, Chitra. 

The conversation develops to reveal Chitra’s loss of her brother to suicide, along with some more overlapping, disconcerting details. In the mix, a comment is also to be made about environmental concerns and the impact of humans’ rampant waste of natural resources on the planet. 

 The end result exhibits a dedicated attempt at telling a story, along with the use of special effects to bring its vision and reality to life. As for the fate of the characters, at a micro level, and that of the entire existence, at a macro level, concrete, definitive answers await within the film’s conclusion.

Adbhut | Short Film Nominee

The film depicts the existential dilemma of choice that is a part of the human condition. A young boy is
at crossroads about making a decision that could impact the rest of his life. The fear of ridicule, and
being an outcast in his peer group makes him want to take up drugs. An angel and a demon sit on
either side of him, offering their guidance. Yet even they proclaim, the ultimate choice is his own. 
The film focuses more on the exposition part, and less on the dilemma. Reversing the order would have allowed the intensity of
that critical moment of choice to be foregrounded better for the viewer.

Ojas Gautam

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