The short film is a very relevant comment on parenting and the manner in which household conflict can affect children. The frames are elegant and are supplemented by a convincing performance of the young protagonist. The narrative uses an approach which shows no adult faces, perhaps invoking a sense of isolation for a child in a world wrought by adult disagreement and turmoil. It further uses the metaphor of an earthquake to convey to the audience the sense of panic parental discord invokes in a child. The product is seamless and touches upon several issues that include anger, anxiety, panic attacks and loneliness in children. It is further a reminder of being wary of how adults behave around them.

Muddu Mudduga | Short Film of the Day

*her engages with the the flip side of stardom and fame, and with the reality of being a decked up face on a colourful poster. In the process, it attempts to reveal to the viewer all that truly goes on behind the glitz and glamour of tinsel town. Actor Regina Cassandra brings an honesty to the short film which is supplemented by the simplicity of its script. It's a wholesome product and leaves the audience with a very nuanced understanding of what it means to be an actor in a world of make-belief, gossip and stardust.

*her | Short Film of the Day

As a cyclone looms over the state of Telangana, two meteorological scientists, Mohan and Krishna, converse about misguided religious belief systems and superstitions. Mohan’s new-born daughter is feared by an acclaimed holy man to bring danger and death to the family. 
To this, an amused Krishna replies by narrating a story from his village during a dry spell. On the suggestion of a swami, the starving villagers decide to plant and worship a tulsi plant for four continuous days to appease the raging god of rain. 

 However, the procession is deemed to succeed only if the blood of an innocent girl is sacrificed, who eventually turns out to be daughter of the village president. The film showcases how fear and misbeliefs often lead to unreasonable actions by humans which are ultimately aimed at satisfying their own greed.

Gowripuram | Short Film Nominee

Crime, love gone sour, mythology, and a battle between demons and gods, all form integral parts of this carefully woven film. The narrative, though mainly confined to a single night and the seediness of its shadows, moves back and forth in time to construct the story of primarily three characters - a police officer, a disgruntled lover, and a man who is overwhelmed with financial tribulations. 

Adding to the intrigue is a fourth character, a woman, Mhalsa, who will come to alter the course of the narrative in an irrevocable, lasting manner. She enters the plot at a crucial juncture with a past that connects her to more than one man, a topic of intense discussion by all the men who surround her. 

The cop regales a nervous waiter with a mythological story that will present the most crucial metaphors of the film, ideas of right and wrong, and how more often than not they get reduced to a grey realm of blurred boundaries. A little distance away from him two friends await their third companion who arrives with a disturbing tale of his own. The two parties remain completely oblivious to the third where the man shares his woes with a confidant. 

Notwithstanding a few rough edges in terms of production, particularly in the department of sound, there is a smoothness with which all of these elements are eventually connected. The duration of the film allows it to spend enough time on each subset of the plot without losing pace. The writing becomes a notable aspect of the film, followed by the edit and performances, all of which together give rise to an engaging end result that displays sincerity and investment of thought.

Neelakanta Bar | Short Film Nominee

The film is an endearing romance, marked by all the highs and lows of a love story, between two characters, Varun and Anjali. It opens with heartache, as well as Varun’s struggle to deliver on an important work deadline. He’s a musician whose career depends on a very big break which has, unfortunately, coincided with his breakup. As we are taken deeper into Varun’s many troubles, the narrative comes into existence, invoking humor, dilemmas, compulsions and some more. The chemistry of the couple is definitely notable, as is the manner in which the story is structured and presented as a whole. Additionally, song and music make an appearance because, after all, it is the story of a musician’s life. This eventually also becomes the sturdy thread that finally ties the film's many components together in a complete manner.

Love, Anjali | Short Film Nominee

The film ties together several disparate elements, and does so in a smooth manner. The story is marked by violence, corrupt politicians, paid assassins, an upright journalist and his steadfast refusal to cow down before the forces of corruption, and lastly, a slice of a pizza that comes to lie at the heart of it all. 

After working for three years towards revealing the dubious activities of a powerful politician, a journalist has finally put his own life at stake in the pursuit of presenting the truth to the world. However, amidst this grand, selfless act, rests a sweetly petty desire, the desire to enjoy a slice of his favorite pizza before bidding goodbye to the world. 

As the partaking of the pizza overlaps with the arrival of the protagonist's killer, things spiral completely out of control. The ensuing chaos offers the film’s core motivations, as well as the climax that finally segues into a balanced conclusion.

For a Slice of Pizza | Short Film of the Day

Suraj, the protagonist of 'Sorry', is a man focused on his life and work with unwavering determination. However, when the film opens, something happens that completely derails him. He is unable to shake off a hooded man who follows him wherever he goes. The mystery of his identity is eventually revealed, and with this revelation, the narrative ushers in shocking developments. Chandru and Vasudha enter the story, and the circumstance continues to progressively increase in complexity. 
In the process, the film endeavors a philosophical rumination on ideas of destiny, and love, alongside man’s relationship with the universe. All of these are eventually tied together to pronounce the film’s title. The screenplay is constructed with a smooth edit and swift transitions. There is a lack of tautness in some components of storytelling, but they are pulled back together to present a sincere endeavor in portraying all of these emotions and sentiments for the viewer.

Sorry | Short Film Nominee

‘Puppets’ is an interesting film that uses very few verbal exchanges, and instead presents much of its action through performances and swiftly unfolding visuals. The story begins on the eve of the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020. A tea seller is extremely stressed about his livelihood. The anger and frustration that he feels soon find their way in the form of a violent dismissal of an unsuspecting patron. However, little does the tea seller know that he will soon regret this impulsive act greatly. 

The narrative swiftly moves to the present day and we are introduced to the professional woes of another character, this time in a different class setting. She too ends up venting her frustrations on an unsuspecting man. From being mere pawns of a ruthless system where everyone is running in an endless race for survival, their strings being pulled completely by another, the characters are soon presented as quite literal puppets of a supernatural entity. Violence, bloodshed, and the shadows that constitute this world soon follow in the wake of these developments, and the film presents its unique storytelling to you, marked by the potential in terms of thought, world-building, visual progression, and performances.

Puppets | Short Film Nominee

Positing itself as crime fiction at the start, the film goes ahead to bring in elements of suspense, mystery and unexpected twists. The plot unfolds parallely alongside the mythological story of Neelakanta and the origin of this particular name of the Hindu god Shiva. With metaphors echoing a reality of gods and demons within the plot of the film itself, the viewer is presented with an engaging narrative about greed, lust, heartache, revenge and above all, money. The film chooses an eponymous bar for the majority of its action. As different characters sit exchanging experiences, as well as arguments, oblivious of each other, the audience is allowed a moment of knowledge about their shared fate that transcends their own awareness. Overall, the film becomes a zealous attempt to put forth its plot, marked by some noteworthy performances, and a sincerity of attempt and execution. While it may have begun as a crime story, it further brings in thrill, and elements of abuse and violence to enhance itself, albeit potentially disconcerting for the sensitive viewer. The final product, however, would have benefited from better control on light and shadows in order to have achieved more fine-tuned visuals.

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