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

The title of the film borrows an apt metaphor to portray the prisoner-jailer, the incarcerated-authority dynamics at a prison. The inmates fight with each other over small matters, episodes that threaten to turn into violent brawls. They also nurture their own individual bonds with the officers. However, above all, they harbor the hope and desire to be free one day. 

The endeavor of weaving it all together, though marked by a few rough edges, is defined by sincerity. There is further an honest attempt to engage with the complexities of interpersonal human dynamics. As for the fate of the prisoners - the short film has a neat, conclusive answer about what is in store for them.

Most Viewed

Genres

Awards

Follow Us

Quick Links