The film presents a story of harassment and stalking, but does so with uniqueness in storytelling. The freshness in its approach ensures that the viewer is glued to the narrative right till the very end, as the protagonist, Megh, takes them deeper and deeper into his world. 

Megh is a writer who, one night, stumbles upon a strange man with a strange query. The film moves back and forth in time as Megh recounts his ordeal to three other characters, each with their own approach to the encounters he describes. 

The film’s biggest strength is what it achieves at the level of thought. It presents a fluidity of roles, and that they can be quite different for the same person depending on the context they are placed in. The story further presents the internal journey that the protagonist goes on as a result of this harrowing experience, and what all of it entails for his identity as a writer. 

The title is explored and engaged with, alongside the life of a city which can sometimes be as forgiving as Mumbai. There is an interaction with the ideas of justice as well. Though there is a slight lack of seamlessness when it comes to the film’s sound department, it is easy to overlook it in the face of the performances, writing, and narratorial progression that the film offers. The ideas thus presented are seeds of thoughts that should definitely be allowed to grow in more projects.

Out of Context | Short Film of the Month

Lokesh and Verma sit inside a car, discussing an imminent meeting and everything that it could entail for the younger Verma. Drawing from his many years of experience, Lokesh shares wisdom on not losing your nerve during a crucial time and, in the process, forever staving off regret, which can sometimes be a crumbling burden. 

A bouquet of flowers rests on the dashboard, suggesting the intimate and romantic nature of the encounter that is about to take place. The entirety of the conversation unfolds from the fixed frame perspective of a single-take, employed seamlessly to further give us a glimpse into the action that is about to follow as well as one that goes beyond the dialog and the screenplay. 

The film’s execution, storytelling, and the chemistry of its actors all portray its intentions with skill and ease. The end result in its brevity is not only entertaining and involving but also presents a narrative that is constructed with thought and attention.

LO-VE | Short Film of the Month

Bablu lost his parents during the migrant crisis that took place when millions of workers tried to return to their homes and native villages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the film premises itself on a reality as dark as this, the story it seemingly offers is one of hope, dreams, and in the process, upliftment. Using this as a starting point, however, the film eventually moves in decisively unexpected directions. 

The inevitable and consequent contrast proves impactful in driving the narrative’s message home. The screenplay and its many characters are constructed thoughtfully to ensure that even though at first glance the reality might require a slight suspension of disbelief, for instance, a group of kids playing football minus any adult supervision, the eventual conclusion of the film, reinstates all logic and rationale in the plot progression. 

Bablu works at his uncle's dhaba but harbors an innocent dream amidst it all - the dream of playing football like all the other more fortunate kids around him. As the two realities overlap, the film presents a story that is sure to stay with the viewer long after they are done watching the film. Though not devoid of limitations that might sometimes afflict a project spearheaded by young actors, the storytelling, visual structure, and world-building exhibit skill and finesse.

Kaash (If Only) | Short Film of the Month

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 of the Month

The film opens with a moment of intimacy and affection, immediately starting a narratorial movement that will come full circle at the conclusion. The distance covered in between, however, paints an entire spectrum of stressors of urban lifestyles in big cities, especially if it involves a move from a smaller one. 


The narrative further ropes in conflict but also the soft and inevitable intimacy that is capable of overcoming it all, no matter how big the obstacle. Rohit and Shruti might not see eye to eye on several things, sometimes even on very core, relationship-defining issues, but their shared love remains an indomitable force. The film also invokes performances and a shared chemistry that is easy and fully supportive of the swiftly developing screenplay and storyline. 'Pillow Talk' efficiently establishes the premise for more such projects, perhaps even longer ones, that should definitely be explored in the future.

Pillow Talk | Short Film of the Month

The film’s story is a heartfelt engagement with dreams, and what they mean for its different characters. Located amidst the very real struggles of survival and somehow making ends meet is our little protagonist. Pintu dreams of a world where he does not have to go to school to an indifferent, lazy, and cruel teacher. He also dreams of fancy sneakers and a future away from the brick kiln where his father works. His aspirations are not simply confined to that but further include the desire for a life like Muniya’s, a peer who does not go to school and instead helps her mother with domestic chores. Muniya, on the other hand, covets a world where children like her go to school. 
Pintu’s parents try to hold on to their jobs or seek out new ones, in the hope of securing some kind of stability in their lives. The film further interweaves frustration and hope, two sides of the same coin, with all of it, alongside the constant effort that is required to keep life afloat. It presents a glimpse into a harsh, exploitative unfair world where a little boy still dreams of seemingly petty things like branded shoes, and a space away from his callous school. 
There is a slight loosening of control when it comes to visual consistency as the film reaches its conclusion, but one which is easy to overlook in the face of all the other strengths it presents. From a screenplay marked by long, fixed frames, to performances, notable and endearing in equal measure, to its world-building, authentic and meticulous throughout, 'Pintu' incorporates them all, and remains steadfast in the exploration of its thematic concerns explored from the eyes of children and adults alike.

Pintu  | Short Film of the Month

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 that 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 all of it to life. The narratorial interweaving, constituted by action, deceit, intrigue, violence, and emotional complexity, should definitely be explored more in future endeavors.

Kasganj | Short Film of the Month

A single, long take is our initial introduction to the world of the film. We are met with Ameira and Kanak, two young lovers who have left everything behind in their hometown, to move to a different city and start life afresh. When the film opens, however, there seems to be a layered conflict that is causing Ameira to question the entire nature of the relationship. The ensuing screenplay, though not without a few rough edges, brings to life beautiful writing and effortless chemistry of the actors. Care is taken to ensure that the conversation between the two is not only free-flowing and smooth but also engaging, and one that draws the viewer deeper into their lives. Consequently, the storytelling and performances become the film’s most notable strength. Its entire duration remains marked by delicateness and a subtle approach to human emotions, two aspects that work wonderfully in the film’s favor.

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