The film presents a heartwarming story of hope, and an iron resolve that overcomes all odds. A child and his older sister, Rachna try to make it in the world on their own. She works at a small shop but is forever preoccupied with her brother not going to school and taking care of the duties expected of him. The younger brother, on the other hand, finding himself too oppressed by the demands of a school that seems to serve him very little, embarks on a journey of his own. 
Nestled at the heart of the story is the idea of following your dreams, and how this pursuit has the potential of becoming the fire that triumphs over all obstacles. The chemistry and performances of the actors are effortless and allow the film to convey all of these intentions and ideas with ease. 

The two children are notable in the energy and the sibling equation they bring to life. The camerawork shows expertise, even if a little loosening of control appears in the form of lighting towards the end. The final result, however, remains straightforward and successfully shares a story of sibling love, the importance of dreams, and the hope to fulfill them.

Good Morning | Short Film Nominee

The film preoccupies itself with the idea of beauty, and how it can become an empowering and as well as overwhelming force in the lives of different people. The same is portrayed by giving the viewer a glimpse into the lives of three women - a mother-daughter duo, and their domestic help. A mirror, both with and without its cracks, stands as a crucial image in this portrayal. If for one woman it is nearly shattered, for another it’s completely unscathed, while for a third it has much fewer cracks. 
The three images are contrasted against one another to further pronounce the thematic concerns. When we go deeper into this troubled mother-daughter equation, a face mask becomes a portent of what is to come. The help presents another colorful and unique break from the simmering tension, roping in both colors and music. 
As a mother forces her oppressive views towards herself on her daughter, the young woman, though at the zenith of her youth, finds herself crippled by it all. The aging domestic help, on the other hand, is an unstoppable force when it comes to enjoying articles of adornment and finding a general verve for life. The narrative ties all of these components in a manner that not only offers a crucial comment on beauty and abuse but also exhibits an interesting vision, and a unique approach to storytelling; an approach that leaves one with the welcome prospect of more such fictional explorations in subsequent endeavors.

Avalde Ammede Arimavu | Short Film Nominee

The film opens in a bleak world of alcoholism and domestic abuse. Located at its heart is the protagonist, who despite the immense hardship of those around him, specifically two women he deeply loves and worries for, is determined to reverse his fate. The film presents a sense of iron will to rise above one’s tribulations, the idea of breaking out of one's cage and shackles, and always looking to the sky. The performances and writing both bring these intentions to life with notable skill and potential. However, can hope and the desire to change one’s lot truly overcome the challenges life might have up its sleeve? 

The question remains central to the narrative, eventually being presented as well as answered at the film’s climax. The storytelling paves the path for a longer, more detailed project that engages with the world shared with the viewer in this short.

Aasmaani Kabootar | Spotlight

The film opens with an emotional scene of a woman speaking to her divorced husband. The moment soon reveals itself to be a rehearsal for an audition, followed soon after by a mundane work day that begins for our protagonist, Samsa. 

After having recently battled divorce herself, Samsa is now about to bring seismic changes into her life, and embark on a journey of following her dreams, starting with enrolling in an expensive American school of acting. 
Despite having overcome tremendous challenges, her path is still far from becoming easy and straightforward, as the viewer soon realizes. 
The film’s journey from each of these points to the other is constructed with care, investment of thought, and a sincerity that is notably evident in the screenplay as well as plot progression. This is most strongly shouldered by a remarkable performance, ensuring that each of these moments is portrayed with authenticity. There is a slight loosening of control when it comes to the overall production value of the end result, but one which is easy to overlook in the face of the film's efficient utilization of its strengths.

The Road Not Taken | Spotlight

Two boys are about to do a strip of a hard drug, being little to completely unprepared for what is to come. Parallel to this is another scene, a heated argument unfolding between the parents of the protagonist who are deeply unhappy with their son. The bitterness and resentment continue to build on both sides, exacerbated by drugs, until the film crescendos into a point of no return. The true strength of the narrative lies in the manner in which the screenplay is constructed to portray the swiftly unraveling state of intoxication. The edit, musical choices as well performances, all supplement it in the most fitting manner (notwithstanding a few rough edges in sound dubbing). The final result maintains its tautness and energy throughout, constructing a narrative that both engages and entertains.

Pash | Spotlight

The film establishes its messaging in the title itself and foregrounds the idea of oppressive cycles of misogyny that are passed down from one generation to another simply because no one breaks the silence. The narrative deals with the several dehumanizing practices around menstruation, and how the stigma not only places an unnecessary burden on women and girls but also endangers their health. 
It explores all of this by way of a household in small-town India where the grandmother is the biggest enforcer of patriarchy, being openly sexist and misogynistic in her treatment of her two grandchildren. Alongside asserting that sometimes women are the biggest upholders of patriarchy, 'Silent Cycle' also presents the far-too-common binary of a household that worships a goddess but treats its women with immense disrespect. This is portrayed by way of notable performances and a straightforward narrative that ropes in sentimentalism and direct communication of all of these ideas.

Silent Cycle | Spotlight

At first glance, the film presents an objective, fly-on-the-wall perspective on a sensitive topic that has polarized opinions for a while now. A chasm between the ideologies of the left and the right is presented to the viewer through an interview with a theatre artist. While he speaks of religious harmony, the journalist, quite evidently clear in his sympathies towards one ideology, and very openly critical of the theatre actor, constantly pushes to make the interview as colorful as possible. 

By way of the words articulated by the actor, a comment is offered on the sensationalization of news at the cost of the very fabric and identity of India as a nation. The film, complete with a notable protagonist, is concise and unequivocal on the two schools of thought that are portrayed, in addition to sharing its views on mindless hate and what the consequences can be for someone who dares to question it.

Anti National | Spotlight

The film opens with a quote that establishes the horizon of expectation for the viewer - the constant effort that is needed to nurture and harbor love, to ensure its flame never dims. The narrative breaks itself into three courses of a dinner, but the stages come to stand less for the food itself, and more for the progress of a very crucial conversation that has the power to determine the fate of the relationship we are presented with. 
As the story progresses, the writing, alongside noteworthy performances and the chemistry of the actors, presents a thoughtful exploration of the myriad nuances and complexities that make a relationship. With the passage of time, and the many overwhelming challenges it ushers in, a relationship can morph into something truly alienating and isolating. The film, thus, becomes a story of two people finding their way back to companionship, away from this isolation. The screenplay and narratorial progression ensure that all of these various parts are allowed a sincere engagement and portrayal all along.

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