There is something deeply beautiful about love stories where the biggest obstacle, among other things, is time. The climax involves a heartwarming union after this particular enemy is vanquished. The Wallet is a narrative that deals with battling the same nemesis. It boasts of a strong cast of Naseeruddin Shah and Navni Parihar, both of whom offer wonderfully convincing performances. The story in itself, though not entirely unique, is a potentially poignant one. However, where it fails is allowing itself enough time to come to a boil. The movement from one point to another is achieved, but not allowed the pace it deserves. Another aspect which works in films of this kind is silence. The extent to which silence could have been used to enrich the narrative remains under-utilised, especially in the union scene of the star-crossed lovers. On the brighter side, everything else in the film requires little to no improvement, which is what makes The Wallet worth a watch.

The Wallet | Naseeruddin Shah, Navni Parihar | Short Film of the Day

A single mother is at the end of her rope, battling all kinds of financial and emotional difficulties. She struggles to find accommodation for her young daughter and herself in the chaotic landscape of Mumbai. 

Along with neighbors who play loud music, and brokers who make tall promises about buildings that are falling apart before her eyes, she is also met with professional rejections. 

The narrative’s most crucial flourish, however, lies in the juxtaposition it draws between an innocent moment of pure joy that the protagonist shares with her daughter, and a soul-crushing reality for her which must be braved in order to survive. The title of the film, a portmanteau for ‘mom’ and ‘bae’, a mother and a lover, is further realized in this instance which, though not devoid of rough edges, is earnest and adroit in its intentions and their portrayal.

Mombae | Short Film Nominee

With a crucial message at its core, one about the urgent need to stay at home and follow all lockdown guidelines, the short film weaves a narrative of several characters, each in their own respective house, to convey its intention. All of it is achieved in a simple, light-hearted manner, with cricket forming the backbone of the plot.

Laxman Rekha | Lockdown Film Challenge

The film attempts a comedic narrative to talk about the bond between two brothers. While a lot of stories often focus on parent-child equations, this particular one wants to engage with the relationship of two brothers and all the affection that comes to constitute it, especially in a world that is currently plagued by the coronavirus pandemic.

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