Kahanibaaz is a short film which engages with issues of domestic abuse, mental health and women's oppression. Using the idea of misguided anger and the inability to break out of painful situations, the short film offers a gripping narrative of violence, marital discord and childhood trauma. The plight of someone who finds themselves trapped in a pattern of emotional abuse and its consequent destructive expression is delineated in the most intense and sophisticated manner. With its skilled cinematography, good acting and a very satisfying climax, the short film is a must-watch for any connoisseur of films.

Kahanibaaz | Short Film of the Day

The film presents an endearing story about a family that is just about to catch a flight to attend a wedding. In this moment of urgency, several emotional undercurrents are taking form. What begins as a haphazard rush to find ancestral earrings soon leads to crucial conversations that reveal a new side to relationships that the characters, or even the viewer, might not have been aware of at first glance. 



There is a sense of the past that the film invokes, while also looking ahead at the future. The manner adopted to do this demands introspection, all along being tied together by love, and the intention to do right by those you hold close. The narrative mixes drama with humor, serious emotional exchanges with banter, and in the process, presents a wholesome story of familial love and affection. Though a few rough edges remain in terms of the overall production, the strong performances, notable chemistry, and storytelling make them easy to overlook.

Der Se Hi Sahi | Short Film Nominee

Sravaka is an extremely successful dancer who is in want of nothing. Fame, success, and recognition lie at her feet, and yet, something disturbs her deeply. 

Unable to sleep or eat, she finds herself taking refuge in pills and constantly rushing back to her past. Her frequent visits to her guru ji, one whose existence is marked by poverty and isolation, push forth the narrative as it engages with philosophical questions regarding an artist’s relationship with their art, the fear of anonymity, the eternal quest for immortality, and what it means to achieve worldly success, even if at the cost of being dishonest as an artist. These ideas are portrayed with a close-knit union with dance sequences, crafted, choreographed, and performed most seamlessly and gracefully. 

There is further an earnest desire to explore the darker realm of success, especially for a dancer who is not only of a different nationality than her art form but has also seen turbulence in her former life. While a few raw edges appear in terms of the screenplay and the visual representation of some of the exchanges between the characters, the film’s core remains devoted throughout in its effort to seek meaning in existence and success vis-a-vis art.

Most Viewed

Genres

Awards

Follow Us

Quick Links