If one were to put it simply, the film is an engagement with the deepest human desire (need?) to find their roots, and to feel loved and a sense of belonging. Be it in the form of a forbidden romance that truly makes you feel like yourself, or seeking closure for a lost memory, to rekindle it to lead to a brighter future, the desire to find and nurture yourself is undeniable, even in the face of all adversity and obstacles, underlines the narrative. By invoking two parallel plot lines, of the past and the present, and bringing to life two generations on screen, the film shares this story with the viewer in Tanisha Rai's notable voice. The thematic concerns are heard loudly and clearly for the audience to experience and participate in, allowing Baba's Black Sheep to become a wholesome, wonderful film, leaving the door open with promise of more such products by the team. The film, however, would have benefited from closer attention to its sound.

Baba's Black Sheep | Short Film of the Month

A man and a woman sit talking about their shared experiences. The flow of the conversation reveals them to be lovers. However, soon negative memories of fights, miscommunication and disagreements begin to poke their head out, hinting that the narrative might not be headed in the direction it might have led you to believe so far. 

As the true intentions of the plot are made clear, a message about the perseverance that is required to stay in love and make it work is pronounced. All of the action so far also comes to pivot on a single object, same as the one mentioned in the title - a wedding card. Even though the film dwindles a little in the sound department, the entire plot unfolds within the same fixed space, allowing it to focus more on the emotional issues at hand.

The Wedding Card | Short Film Nominee

Communal harmony is indeed an important message in contemporary times and the film attempts to convey the same. The story is of a young Muslim boy making his way inside a temple and leaving everyone surprised. There is an endearing message at the end of the film as to what was the motivation behind this act. While the film is noble-intentioned, it could have benefitted greatly if some elements of subtlety were interweaved with the narrative. The characters too seem to be drawn a little simplistically. They could have gained from being a slightly less stereotypical version of themselves.

Khuda Hafiz | Short Film Nominee

The film is a simple story of a boy who wishes to have a pair of slippers (chappals) so he could play
football with the boys in his neighborhood. They had refused to let him join due to not owning one, which is why securing himself a pair now becomes the primary concern. 
The narrative pursues the young boy, as he goes from temple to parents to express his wish. He finally
does manage to own slippers of his own, but soon loses them. Thus begins another search to reclaim the footwear.
Chappal paints a scene of innocence, injustice and sacrifice.

Chappal | Short Film Nominee

The film begins by contrasting the life of two young boys who are in the same class. One belongs to a middle-class household and the other to a lower middle-class one. The film shows how a difference in their circumstances can lead to a difference in their life and future. The boy in the lower middle-class household saw a father with an alcohol addiction. He was expelled from school because his father spent the money for his school fees on alcohol. The film argues that it was indeed this life of penury that eventually pushed him into the fatefully dark world of drug abuse.

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