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.

#PuranaPyaar | Short Film of the Day

Kheer is a short film about two generations, a child and her grandfather, and the way they look at love and relationships. It opens with an irritated man, played most convincingly by Anupam Kher, quarrelling with a woman. The intimacy of the quarrel suggests that the two are married. The narrative then introduces two more characters, a girl and a boy, Kher's grandchildren. The surprise of these two characters is used most intelligently to reveal that she's indeed not his wife. The short film earns brownie points for the manner in which it navigates around the concepts of companionship and age. It also attempts to normalise the idea that age and the desire to be with someone are two unrelated things. Therefore they should not be judged using this non-existent link as an index.

Kheer | Short Film of the Day

Two strangers meet in a shared cab at 3 am in Bombay - one a writer with an advertising firm, the other an investment banker. One of them has had a very long day at work, the other has an anecdote to share about a beef curry he had two days ago. It's easy to see how the two are in completely different mental spaces, yet there's a common thread, one that often connects strangers in a big city. It could be the mad rush of it that forces them to find solace in brief encounters or moments, or it could be a divine, otherworldly connection. Detour, with its narrative most effortlessly handled by director and writer Sumi Mathai, and the convincing chemistry of Sayani Gupta and Vikrant Massey, explores these dynamics and leaves it up to the viewer to decide which is what.

Detour | Short Film of the Day

We didn't need further proof of Sanjay Mishra's acting prowess, but this short film does just that. And not only this, it also pays tribute to one of the best drinks this country will ever produce - Old Monk. This is a tale of nostalgia, friendships, and also one of addictions and loneliness. For a brief twelve minutes, Monk will make you revisit your college hostel days.

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