Based on a short story by Ruskin Bond, The Black Cat by Bhargav Saikia portrays an interesting turn of events starting from a day in Bond's life. Played by Tom Alter, Bond comes in possession of a broomstick which is soon accompanied by a black cat turning up at his doorstep. His misadventures with the kitty keep the audience involved, while also invoking a sense of sympathy for the harried writer. Soon after a Ms. Bellows follows, claiming the cat to be hers, and our protagonist is more than grateful to hand over the kitty to his unusual guest. The narrative offers interesting characters in the form of both Alter as Bond and Shernaz Patel as Ms. Bellows. The beautiful camera angles lend an otherworldly quality to the film, equally supported by an eerie soundtrack. Along with Anglican influences in the form of costumes, language and the general lifestyle, The Black Cat also possesses an element of the supernatural, characteristic of much of Bond's writing. This is achieved by elegant special effects which, when coupled with a seamless edit and sophisticated visuals, make the film a thrilling watch.

The Black Cat | Tom Alter | Short Film of the Day

The music video juxtaposes the highs and lows of love for a couple which is drowning in the intensity of its own emotions. With the magical vocals of Prateek Kuhad, the song becomes a very poignant take on romance which is fierce, passionate and sometimes, heartbreaking. Following in the footsteps of many artists before him, a recent example being that of Ed Sheeran, Kuhad also makes a cameo in the video. With the depiction of the cyclical nature of relationships, Cold/Mess makes the viewer conclude that though love can be overwhelming, suffocating and bitter, it's also tangy and sweet and something worth a try, much like a lemon tart.

Cold/Mess | Short Film of the Day

How far are you willing to go to punish someone for infidelity? Would you go down the road of vengeance to never return or would you drive away to indifference, and move on? The short film raises these questions with notable performances by Kalki Koechlin and Monica Sharma Dogra, but at the heart of it lies a much darker reality. Along with an engaging climax, the film also offers a deep comment on gender roles. When Kalki's character accuses her husband of cheating on her, he dismisses it as being thoughts of an imbecile, "a fifth grader". The narrative also invests its energy in portraying her as a woman struggling with potentially neurotic behaviour. The fact that despite his cheating, he confidently writes her off could perhaps suggest that her psychosis was a result of his behavioural patterns. Maybe when she accused him of cheating only after a seemingly inane encounter, her anger and distrust came with a massive baggage of a past where he had constantly denied her narrative, making her question her own reality. Would it be too far to suggest that, like as is true of many heteronormative romantic equations, there was an element of gaslighting involved in this equation? If indeed yes, the ending would leave the viewer with a sense of closure. What happens when she has had enough of the same dysfunctional, toxic, soul-sapping relationship? The short film has a satisfying answer.

The Thought of You | Short Film of the Day

The opening scene is a tight close up of a worried man whose wife has ended up in an accident and broken her leg. The narrative does a good job of drawing in the viewer into his distress, only for an unexpected turn waiting for them as it progresses. The film employs a black and white palette at the beginning and experiments with colour transitions. Additionally, it is endearing and simple - two things that work best for it. Another strength lies in the fact that it does not try to be anything it's not. There is also a wonderful celebration of love for the romantic in all of is that will leave you with warm fuzzies inside.

Platinum Excuse | Short Film of the Day

The video is the most surreal splash of colours, light and movement thrown in together in a carefully crafted manner. The visuals are supplemented with a psychedelic score which further allows the narrative to maintain its tone and vibe. Needless to say, one of the biggest strengths of Blow is its stunning camerawork and meticulous control on light. Not even a single shot is accidental or one which is not adding to the entire experience in some manner, ensuring that all of it comes together into a wholesome, balanced product. Additionally, the visuals ooze a visceral sensuality which results in it being a far more engaging interaction with its audience than it would have been otherwise. On the whole, the video is a dreamy, unpredictable ride for the viewer to gauge from one transition to another, enjoying the process of getting more and more involved with every passing moment.

Blow | Short Film of the Day

The film is a calm engagement with the protagonist's attempts to locate himself vis-a-vis the ideas of truth and existence. He is an NRI, returned to a small Indian town to sell his ancestral property before he heads back to his life in the US to never turn back. However, the most unexpected realisations about his past, ideas of love and what it means to allow his foundational roots to open doors (both literal and metaphorical) await him before his departure. The story is allowed to unfold and come into its own at a quiet, gradual pace. It further employs symbolism and metaphors to communicate its message. Consequently, when the closure of the narrative finally arrives, the viewer does not realise in the first instance that the film has already led them by hand to a place of no return.

Neer (Water) | Short Film Nominee

The film exhibits notable skill in the manner in which it utilises limited space to tell its story. With intelligent camerawork and a single member cast and crew, it not only aims for an ambitious product, but also achieves it. Inspired by Bong Joon-ho's acclaimed thriller Parasite, the narrative invokes a reality of suspense, thrill, hidden messages and perhaps a possibility of violence. Once the protagonist finds out that the flickering bulb in his house is more than a loose fuse, there are several unanswered questions he must find the answers to. However, once he finally reaches his destination, would the outcome be a desired one?

Morse | Short Film of the Day

The video is a weaving together of beautiful visuals with soulful vocals by When Chai Met Toast. The story is of a young ballerina who struggles to make space for her art amidst her father's alcoholism, indifference and complete dismissal of her dance. The efficient cinematography does a perfect job of capturing the essence of the song with its hand-held visuals and intelligent use of lighting. From a dim house, where a young dancer's dreams are stifled, to the brightness of an open space where she finally allows herself to become the dancer she wants to be - the lighting and colour palette serve to supplement the narrative. With convincing acting, melodious music and seamless visuals, the video delivers a wholesome product.

Believe | Short Film of the Day

The colour palette is soft, the vocals soothing and the music just right - this is what the new Prateek Kuhad video offers. Though the song is an old one, the video is the latest offering by the Cold Mess singer. The video opens with a possibly love-struck protagonist trying out a tune on different instruments. The visuals are structured around the same physical space, visited by different characters and moods. As the narrative progresses, it touches upon several things - falling in love, separation, the grief of losing someone. The closing shot is of a lonely Kuhad, standing all by himself, very unlike the conclusion the viewer may have led to expect by the vocals and sound. Kuhad is his honest, endearingly awkward self in the video, much like an Ed Sheeran of the East. Watch it on a quiet, sombre evening, preferably with a little rain pattering on the window, and you won't be disappointed.

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