The Character takes its time introducing you to its world bit by bit. Time is spent on each detail, be it the meticulous cleaning of a tea-cup, enjoying a rendition of La Vie En Rose, a foreign film, or simply smoking late into the night …until the sustained calm is broken by a disturbing sound. The sole character and protagonist does a notable job of adding to the atmosphere established so far with his performance. 

Once the viewer has been made aware that mischief is truly afoot, they are given a longer glimpse into the world, one where the many complexities of the human mind are allowed articulation. Faring less only in the department of sound, The Character comes across as a devoted story of creativity and darkness, and the manner in which the two can come to be linked with one another, further allowing the fulfillment of its title as well.

The Character | Short Film Nominee

If infidelity chooses to wriggle its way in between partners, it sometimes refuses to leave without causing a permanent change in the dynamics. While some may recover from the setback, for others it becomes the third component of their equation which is now changed in an irreversible manner. The short film pivots itself on the same premise and takes the viewer into one such instance. The plot, modelled on the short story The Suit by South African writer Can Themba, portrays how, when a husband catches his cheating wife red-handed, he refuses to express his dismay in any form of an emotional outburst. Instead, the infidelity takes the form of a perpetual presence in their marriage, quite literally. Additionally, while the parent text preoccupies itself with issues of race, the short film, comes to be associated with a class struggle between the members of the working class and those of the Indian upper-middle class. Though a little more fine-tuning of the overall product would have helped it to be more than what it already is, also an aspect that the team can gain from in their future projects, Haazri still exhibits an undeniable stillness and gravity of thought and approach that works notably to its advantage.

Haazri | Short Film Nominee

From the premise itself, the film wants to make several important comments about the idea of identity, nationalism and politics in a country that is battling a hypersensitive atmosphere. It brings in the cruel and violent treatment of Kashmiris by some members of perhaps a fringe or extremist group on a college campus. They can be assumed to be students or youth leaders backed by political parties or both - the film does not clarify these details. While the intention of the narrative is to further dialogue on the topic of dissent, it could have perhaps gained from a more organic pace. This, in turn, would have allowed it to benefit from a little more coherence in the development of events, and elevate it higher than where it already stands.

Vividh Bharti | Short Film Nominee

Zara Si Mohabbat uses a dialogue that would stay with the viewer after they are done watching the film. At one juncture in the narrative, a character called Sharad, tells his lover, Manohar, that they are like the fertile soil on which the future generations would bloom. Mapped against a queer relationship which constantly battles societal and familial pressures, the dialogue holds loud and clear. The story too is about Sharad and Manu's battle to gain acceptance in their own respective families. While one of them has kept his sexuality and relationship a secret, the other has recently revealed it, only to be met with a cold silence from their end. The film definitely shows potential in thought and approach. However, it unravels a little in the second half, with a loose scene or two, eventually pulling itself together to present the completed narrative to the viewer. It is a welcome prospect to see more similar engagements by the team.

Zara Si Mohabbat | Short Film Nominee

The short film opens with the tone of an autobiographical documentary, but soon reveals its true nature, that of a mockumentary. Once that has been ascertained by the viewer, they find themselves delving deeper and deeper into the world of the protagonist who uses the name of his online persona, Krodhraj. 

Rejected in love and battling heartbreak, he sets on a path of redefining love and its many complexities. With bizarre ideas, well-intended but marked by their absurdity, he moves from one aspect to another, sharing them all with the audience. 

The end product of the film is an expression of the desire to experiment with the various aspects of weaving a narrative - be it music, visual style, aesthetics or the overall feel. It should definitely be honed further to present more fine-tuned results to the audience in the future.

One For Love, Krodhraj! | Short Film Nominee

The short narrative wants to be a tribute to the Telugu poet and lyricist Sirivennela Seethaaraama Saasthry. The same is attempted by showing the significance of the bard’s words in pulling back a young man from the brink of absolute despair and dejection. The endeavor is direct and plain, and presents the same ideas in a raw form to the viewer.

Eppudu Oppukovaddhura Otami | Short Film Nominee

The short narrative introduces to a character called Aghori. As we go deeper into the plot, we are presented with his fondness for revolutionary songs, intoxicants and similar substances, and debunking conspiracy theories. The story opens on an ambitious note, further offering an experimental approach and a zealous premise - an idea combined with the experiences of its characters while they are intoxicated. In future projects, the team can perhaps gain a little more from a tighter control on the execution of its primary ideas and their potential.

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