Mahesh is a very busy professional who is in a key position in a big company. However, on the day the film opens, he is preoccupied with not business matters. Instead, a child’s sketch of a tree is what has caught his attention. As he quickly wraps up his day in the middle of the afternoon, the narrative establishes that there indeed exists something more important than all the worldly successes and wealth he may have amassed so far. 
The plot moves back in time, introducing us to a young Mahesh, brought to life most ardently by the actor, who possesses a deep love for all living things that constitute nature. A closer look at his life reveals he has inherited this selflessness from his father, and now, is unable to focus on his studies, or find any joy beyond his friendship with a peepal tree, and in the birds and other parts of nature.
And now, after all these years, Mahesh once again makes his way back to his childhood haunts, only to be met with an unexpected development. 

As the story is woven around all of these developments, the film presents a relevant comment about the importance of trees when it comes to our existence, alongside drawing viewers' attention to the damaging consequences of deforestation. The comment it makes is comprehensive and sincere and brought to life by the notable dedication and effort of the cast and crew. The articulation remains clear and eventually underlines how humans can sometimes be their own worst enemy while indulging themselves in the delusion of progress and growth.

Peepal | Spotlight

A group of young men at the heart of intense caste politics form the film's backbone. With the police in cahoots with the upper caste Yogesh, there is nothing stopping his reign of terror over the Dalits of this little town, Kasganj, in the northern parts of India. Alongside it, the innocent but resilient romance of Sheetal and Chandan is beginning to define itself in the face of the oppressive caste forces. 

The town is home to Thakur Gali, a lane through which no lower caste procession shall pass. When Chandan is denied permission to let his wedding party through, a terrible story develops which holds the potential to redefine the existing cultural and political map. With the imminent election, another influential member of the group, Badri, has quite a different approach than Yogesh to the increasingly rising tensions. 

The film is marked by evident potential when it comes to storytelling and constructing a world rooted in a terribly unsettling reality. It further exhibits the dedication of its cast and crew to bring it to life. The narratorial interweaving, constituted by action, deceit, intrigue, violence, and emotional complexity, should definitely be explored more in future endeavors.

Kasganj | Spotlight

The film opens on an oppressively despondent note. All of us at some point have felt the overwhelming burden of a rut, of a mundane life that is constituted by living the same day over and over again. Our protagonist is located at the heart of one such circumstance. 
Even on the day of his birthday, the emptiness and isolation of his lackluster life have left him drunk and alone in his car. However, when his path crosses with two men in an unlikely manner, a story of thrill and foolhardy behavior commences, a story that is never devoid of humor and an inherent bonhomie. The two constantly define the situation as the protagonist now finds himself celebrating his twenty-ninth birthday with four men living a life vastly different from his. 
The chemistry of the actors, and the performances they bring to life, embellish the film markedly. The film is an honest glimpse into a problem that often plagues urban existence, and presents storytelling and world-construction that exhibits deep potential and must be explored further in future projects.

Until Today | Spotlight

The film is a heartfelt glimpse into the struggles of two characters, Yadhu and Sruthi, a young couple that has moved away from home to build their life in the big city. 
Facing opposition from both their families regarding their marriage, they have now come to a place where in a bid to simply survive, they hold on to demanding, hectic jobs. 
The daily routine ensures that the two barely even meet each other in the house, spending their time only within the emptiness of the four walls. In the middle of the tedium of daily mundaneness and demands, however, also lies the memory of a past, one that ensures that their present is filled with love, even if in the form of longing. The various household tasks and items remain nestled in the identity of a lover and a beloved surrounded by yearning. 
The film calls itself an adaptation of the Bengali film ‘Asha Jaoar Majhe’ (Labour of Love), and endeavors a storytelling marked by mellowness of voice and tonality, brought to life with skilled visual grammar and notably strong performances.

He & She | Spotlight

The poetry in broken things becomes an idea intrinsic to the film. A young man, heartbroken in love, seeks solace and comfort for his bruised heart in poetry. In a misguided bid to prove his sincerity to the former beloved, he finds himself making his way to a poet’s house. 
In the exchange that develops between the two, the narrative presents its core ideas about the release that tears carry and a sense of self-awareness without which perhaps all our relationships are doomed to fail. Alongside this, the protagonist has another exchange, one with a flower seller who introduces him to an emotional reality that is far from what he might have interacted with so far. 
The film is marked by a uniqueness of storytelling that is visible in the screenplay. Notwithstanding a little evidence of youth in its voice, the film shines bright in its individuality, alongside stylistic choices of music and visual palettes to present all of this to the viewer.

Tears of Roses | Spotlight

The documentary introduces us to a powerful subject, Nihad Panju, who not only holds an intimidating world record but also carries within him a story impossible to look away from. After a serious illness as a baby left him battling partial paralysis, Nihad’s life was defined by long years of isolation, hard work, the many sacrifices and compromises that his ever-supportive family made, alongside discipline, perseverance, and the vehement refusal to quit. 

Overcoming the toughest odds, Nihad now holds the world record of being the fastest runner with hemiplegia to complete a half marathon, in addition to leading a deeply fulfilling and meaningful life. The visual and narratorial progression of the film does a notable job of capturing all of these emotions. In the end, the story that the viewer is presented with is one of hope and the indomitable nature of the human spirit, allowing the film to succeed in the communication of all its intentions with lucidity and impact.

Nihad Panju | Short Film of the Day

With disturbing data that suggests one in every three women in the world has been sexually or physically abused at some point, this short film by UN Women makes a strong case for women's rights. The simple weaving of visuals of different situations are sufficient to convey how unsafe women are at work, in public spaces and at home. Lakeer raises a very important question - where do we draw the line when it comes to violence against women? With a coherent and sophisticated narrative, further coupled with good acting and visuals which are disturbing without even bordering on voyeurism, the short film becomes the kind of content the world needs.

Lakeer | Short Film of the Day

Imagine a couple in love that has run away from their home and family. They find themselves in the hills because the man, who grew up there, wants to show his beloved all his childhood haunts. If your first instinct was to imagine a young couple dancing around trees, then this short film is for you. It attempts to break the stereotype of love and relationships belonging only to a fixed age group by taking us into the lives of its protagonists, inhabitants of an old age home. As they traverse their memories of love, loss and childhood rivalries, there is perhaps one last battle to be won. Lillette Dubey is breathtaking in the film, supported by Mohan Agashe in the most endearing manner. Purana Pyaar also deserves praise for its writing and storytelling.

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