‘Happy Birthday’ has something very crucial to say. However, it opens with a tonality that is deliberately kept far from that. It is the eve of Anjali’s birthday when the film begins, and she plans a night of fun and enjoyment with her partner, as well as her friends. However, the plan soon seems to be devolving into chaos as one canceled step is followed by another. 

At the same time, the narrative has quietly started suggesting that something darker might be lurking right below the obvious, something that would truly be realized at the film’s conclusion. While the night continues to develop, we are taken deeper into the endearing relationship of the two characters. They discuss their equation with the city, Bengaluru, their affection for it, or even the lack of it, laughing about the devotional songs of their ringtones, among other things, all along presenting to us the many innocent and sincere details of their romance. 

 The exchange helps to serve as an impactful contrast with what eventually follows at the film's disconcerting climax and conclusion. Though requiring a little more finetuning in the department of sound, the film presents an important story. Once the rough edges are ironed out, more such creative endeavors should definitely be interacted with in the future.

Happy Birthday | Short Film Nominee

Abhi Na Jao is an ambitious attempt to engage with a relationship that an artist develops with an artificial intelligent assistant. As the affection and warmth takes the form of an obsession, the film gets darker. It opens with a dimly lit shot of a painter standing before a blank canvas, unable to achieve what he wants. The product of art remains incomplete as he struggles to find someone to talk him out of ending his own life, to give meaning to his life. The narrative then goes back in time to delineate events that led to the present moment. The film tries to be an exploration of an intense topic, however, is unable to offer an entirely unique voice to engage with it.

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