The short film is a fresh and endearingly humorous take on the sex life of a middle aged couple, played beautifully by Neena Gupta and Jackie Shroff. Along with the convincing performance and chemistry of its two protagonists, the film also has wonderful writing and effortless comedy timing. When Girdharilal stumbles across a pair of handcuffs in his son's room, it triggers an entire conversation on BDSM and kinky sexual preferences between him and his wife. Roopmati, who has recently read Fifty Shades of Grey, has lots to say on the topic to enlighten her husband. As the two attempt to rekindle their sex life and one interruption (read: mishap) follows another, how will the night eventually unfold?

Khujli | Jackie Shroff, Neena Gupta | Short Film of the Day

Marriage can often be hollow in more ways than one and the short fim gives a sophisticated glimpse into these complexities. When a simple, middle-class housewife finds herself befriending the confident Nayantara, distinguished by her location in society, a parallel world of Chardonnay and expensive vacations is suddenly revealed to her. But beneath the shininess of this superficially glamorous world lies a murkier reality, very expertly delineated by the narrative. The story-telling is further enhanced by the performances and the most elegant visuals employed in developing the narrative. The short film delves deeper to reveal the lovelessness of a marriage, the crushing weight of financial strain and a desperate attempt to fit in. As the protagonists look for an escape in each other's lives, where will this path of temporary pleasures and denial lead them?

Nayantara's Necklace | Short Film of the Day

The short film is funny, endearing and moving in equal measure. A teenaged girl gets her first period. While her mother, a gynaecologist, is at work, the only other adult at home is her father. His unpreparedness, but willingness to help, the girl's initial inability to understand what's going on and the mother's successful attempts of normalising menstruation - all fit in the narrative most smoothly. There is a little coming-of-age present hidden away by her mother at home that helps her get past it all, and finally manage to smile. The father, after educating himself using the good, old internet, is also ready with a hot water bottle and a chocolate dessert. In a country like India, where a majority of mothers consider periods 'dirty' and fathers choose to remain unaware, Her First Time carries a relevant message - to accept menstruation as a normal, biological process.

Her First Time | Short Film of the Day

With its use of short, crisp shots, coupled with an eerie background score, the film does a notable attempt of invoking an atmosphere of thrill and horror. It moves back and forth in time to juxtaposes two parallel narratives of a young couple. The plot soon develops to reveal how a man finds his present reality reflected in a past couple's life that lived in the same house where he happens to be for a few hours. The film shows potential in terms of its structuring and performances and comes across as a strong attempt at horror. While music has an important role to play in escalating tension, it is also the execution of the storyline that allows it to be a complimentary aspect of the film, rather than spiral away into melodrama.

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