The short narrative presents a sweet tale that borrows from surrealism and fantasy, all along tying it together with music and romance. A narrator plays on a ukulele and introduces the viewer to the matter at hand - red crystals of unknown origin, but those which find themselves located at the heart of eternal love. Next, an element of tragedy enters the plot. If on the one hand, a woman looks for a red crystal she hurled at the beach only a single day ago, a groom abandoned at his wedding altar by the woman who was going to marry him is also present at the site, on the other. As the paths of the three collide - the strange, eccentric narrator with a flair for storytelling, the rejected groom, and the hapless woman - the story comes into its own. Additionally, at the conclusion awaits a dark development that serves as a dedicated endeavor to enhance the plot further.

Phool Kumari Ki Geet Maala | Short Film of the Day

At the film's core is a simple premise - the ambition and dreams of glory of a young filmmaker which is tied with extremist elements within the story. However, the manner which is adopted to portray the same is far from simple - it shows the desire to innovate, to experiment, and not be hesitant of stepping out of one's comfort zone.

 In the process, a meta-narrative of sorts is produced which offers political commentary, a plot which is very self-aware and therefore sometimes invokes humor at its own expense and very deliberately so, mixes elements of surrealism with humor and violence, and ties it all together as the completed product of the film. 

 The non-linear narrative takes us into Alka's world and her very devoted attempts to tell a "politically visceral" story. With a hat-tip to Roland Barthes in its title, the film brings all of this, and some more, to life, ensuring that its storytelling and the execution of the plot remain fresh in tonality while, at the same time, engaging and entertaining the viewer throughout.

Ek Film Director Ki Maut | 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.

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