The film captures your attention right from the word go by taking you into a night in the life of a seedy taxi driver. As he drools over images of skimpily-clad women in a magazine, the most unexpected customer sits in his vehicle for a late night trip. The uncanny passenger brings with her an atmosphere of eeriness which ascertains for the viewer that something is deeply amiss. The narrative then moves between the driver's dream and wakefulness, blurring the lines between what is real and what isn't both for the protagonist and the viewer. Just when he is about to commit a malicious act, he is met with the most shocking development. The film does a notable job of weaving its narrative, keeping the viewer hooked throughout. It further employs remarkable camerawork, complemented by a closely-controlled play of light to conjure its world of strange passengers and a taxi driver who has now found himself in the midst of an incident that will perhaps come to haunt him for the rest of his life.

Ei Taxi | Short Film Nominee

The short film is marked by its noble intention to address notions of hate and communalism. We are first introduced to Aniket, a chirpy, kind-hearted boy who seems to know the local land and its people well. Aniket has taken upon himself the task of helping a friend, who studies in France, with a college project. Next we are met with Fazal and his family, and it is at this juncture that an oppressive strain enters the story. 

As the political milieu of France that is reeling in the aftermath of an extremist attack is conjured, Islamophobia soon sticks out its ugly head. Through the lived reality of Fazal, a further comment is attempted on the situation in India as well. It is by weaving these varied disparate elements together that Ak Ghar Masjid presents its motivations to the viewer, while pronouncing the message of unity, peace and love throughout. 

In future projects, it would be interesting to see storytelling that is marked by a smoother edit, thereby making the film's plot and progression more comprehensive for the viewer.

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