The short film, most subtle in its approach, with subdued sounds and a muted palette, makes a very powerful comment about marginalisation, gender and mother-daughter relationships. The protagonist of the film is a little girl narrating the story of her birth mother, adopted mother and now her journey to a boarding school. The sequencing of the visual narrative is very important in telling this story and is used judiciously by the filmmaker. The second most significant tool is the equally skilled voiceover of the protagonist that supplements the visuals most impactfully. Add to all of this the fact that the film tells a true story, and it becomes a very wholesome product that will ring true and deep with the viewer.

Generations of Care | Short Film of the Day

In the face of all misogyny, sexism, classicism and women themselves participating in patriarchal oppression, it's a glass of juice which will become an agent of protest. The short film is the story of one evening and how that in itself is sufficient to delineate the normalisation of women's marginalisation. However, one day, when a woman decides to stand up and question it, will she be allowed the space to do so? Juice is a wholesome and skilful product which questions the grossly imbalanced gender equations. Shouldered by the most stellar performance by Shefali Shah, the film is undisputedly a very relevant, subtle and poignant piece of art on gender.

Juice | Short Film of the Day

Some short films are so wonderfully made that you know they will stay with you for a long time. Chotti, with its beautiful exploration of a mother-daughter relationship, is a perfect example of that. Written and directed by Akansha Seda, this Culture Machine production stars Lillete Dubey, Ira Dubey and Sarah Hashmi. Strong performances, skilled cinematography, soulful storytelling and brilliant writing of the narrative come together to portray how dynamic, fiery and endearing a mother-daughter equation can be. Watch very closely because you don't want to miss any part of this lovely story and the sophisticated manner in which all of it ties up very neatly at the end.

Chotti | Short Film of the Day

A wonderful short film by Girliyapa, Kanika is a poignant take on a type of crime most prevalent in India. The narrative builds up gradually, taking its time, yet keeping the viewer glued all along. As it progresses, you realise that, in the most disturbing manner, it's far from what you expected. What starts off as a romantic story of two seemingly star-crossed lovers soon takes a disconcertingly dark turn at the climax. The film's production quality and the mature handling of a very intense subject deserve a special mention. Also backed by skilled cinematography and a strong voiceover, Kanika will definitely stay with you long after you've watched it.

Kanika | Short Film of the Day

What is love and what is companionship? The short film attempts to look at their many forms as they take flight beyond their traditional roles. The wonderfully crafted narrative explores the meaning of dressing up and how strangely liberating it can be from mental and emotional prisons. Is it in the colour of a new lipstick, the swirl of a dark eyeliner or the glow of a new highlighter? This festive season, discover friendship, dressing up and the joy of being in love with your body. Feeling overwhelmed as to what Qaid is about? Good, now you're ready for this beautifully well-intentioned film.

Qaid | Short Film of the Day

This short film, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and directed by Nandita Das, works as the perfect prelude to the full-length feature film Manto soon to make an appearance on the silver screen. Nawazuddin is as convincing as Manto in the film as he has been in all of his prior roles. The film is a deep and insightful commentary on society which attempts to hide its vulgarities and inherent contradictions by attacking the artist who simply holds a mirror to it. It's not the art which is ugly, but the reflection of the critic who attacks the former with misguided rage. If nothing at all, In Defence of Freedom, handled extremely elegantly by Das, simply succeeds in compelling the viewer to start a conversation with the self and its location in society.

In Defence Of Freedom | Short Film of the Day

Gubbare is one the 10 short films from the 2007 Anthology Dus Kahaaniyan. It stars Rohit Roy and Anita Hassanandani as the newly-wed couple fighting over trivial things on a bus journey. Nana Patekar's acting chops are on display here, as he plays the elderly guy who brings 'gubbare' for his beloved, and schools the young couple.

Gubbare | Short Film of the Day

Trigger warning: The purpose of art is to reflect all that is wrong with society, to trigger thoughts that lead to reformative action. Agli Baar succeeds in doing precisely that - holding up the mirror to a very ugly reality of the world we live in. Not for the emotionally fragile, the short film is for an audience which is willing to swallow the bitter truths of a society divided on the lines of religion, class and a mindlessly rigid sense of community. It further invokes the idea that while we may choose to ignore them and be mute spectators to the wrongs being done around us, we are not immune to the agents of evil which may target us next.

Agli Baar | Short Film of the Day

A broker in Delhi is not the first character to come to mind while thinking of a film protagonist, won't you agree? This is one of the many points of uniqueness of Kartaa. It takes the viewer into the struggles and obstacles of a broker as he tries to keep his family afloat. The short film delves into the murky, seedy aspects of society in the most poignant manner. While revealing the extent of its ruthlessness, it further affirms that sometimes there indeed is no ray of light at the end of the tunnel.

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