A grandmother and a little girl take us into the world of ‘Aatman’ (spirit of the forest). The introduction is calm, but impactful, and defined by chirping birds and a gradual narration that would form the very core of the film. 
The grandmother shares the story of a hunter in a forest who is one day visited by a strange creature. In the process of sharing his story, she paints for us a space that is not marked by indiscriminate violence of a hunter preying on his surroundings, but instead by balance and sustainability, serving as a stark contrast against the effects of human activities on the environment in the real world. The grammar of the film is crisp, the visuals controlled and well-thought, and the overall tone undisturbed, all of which together allow it to present its message emphatically. There is no sentimentalism or didacticism, coupled with a utilization of metaphors and efficient storytelling that further ensure that the intentions of the narrative are communicated lucidly.

Aatman | Short Film Nominee

In a world where the pandemic, news headlines around it, and a general sense of dread threatens to overwhelm you, Dhwani brings a calmness to your life, only if for a few minutes. The short narrative is simply a tying together of different sounds, from mellow wind chimes to distant birds to a strong thunderstorm that threatens to spoil this calm, but eventually is overpowered by other sounds that follow. These sounds perhaps also become a metaphor for the different stages of life, experiences and memories of the woman on screen before you. However, irrespective of what they stand for, the corresponding visuals, along with the rest of the aesthetic, manage to convey to you a sense of peace, much needed in contemporary times.

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