Getting rapping to Mumbai streets is this 25-year-old artist Naved Shaikh (aka Naezy). Trying to turn away from a life of delinquency, young Naved found himself turning to poetry. Soon his father gifted him an iPad, and since then there has been no turning back. Posited between his religious identity, the expectations of his parents and his love for rapping in the vernacular, Naved attempts to use hip hop to fight regressive ideologies and bring change in society. The short film narrates the struggles of an aspiring artist in the most honest and skilful manner. It's visual language is in direct relation with the music created by the protagonist on his iPad. While Bombay 70, titled thus after the part of Mumbai Naved comes from, introduces the viewer to the rapper, it also manages to incorporate his music and art with its narration and storytelling, making it a well-rounded, wholesome product.

Bombay 70 | Short Film of the Day

The story is of an Arjun and an Indra, of magical stones and a disappeared boy. Add to it Radhika Apte in one of her most alluring avatars as a convincing coquette, and the short film is bound to catch your attention. The setting is the house of an artist somewhere in West Bengal. One afternoon a police officer visits him regarding the disappearance of a boy called Arjun who was last known to have met him. The mystery of the missing boy which is introduced to the viewer is taut with the sexual tension between the police officer and the young wife of his ageing host. The plot is the overarching force that drives this film, a modern day take on the myth of Ahalya in which the power structures have been reversed. Further, the narrative is weaved most seamlessly by skilled performances of its three actors.

Ahalya | Short Film of the Day

The film opens with an emotional scene of a woman speaking to her divorced husband. The moment soon reveals itself to be a rehearsal for an audition, followed soon after by a mundane work day that begins for our protagonist, Samsa. 

After having recently battled divorce herself, Samsa is now about to bring seismic changes into her life, and embark on a journey of following her dreams, starting with enrolling in an expensive American school of acting. 
Despite having overcome tremendous challenges, her path is still far from becoming easy and straightforward, as the viewer soon realizes. 
The film’s journey from each of these points to the other is constructed with care, investment of thought, and a sincerity that is notably evident in the screenplay as well as plot progression. This is most strongly shouldered by a remarkable performance, ensuring that each of these moments is portrayed with authenticity. There is a slight loosening of control when it comes to the overall production value of the end result, but one which is easy to overlook in the face of the film's efficient utilization of its strengths.

The Road Not Taken | Spotlight

‘Shrey’ takes the viewer into a tense moment right after it opens. Even before any action unfolds, the background score ensures that the viewer is never at ease, making it one of the most notable aspects of the film. 

The film progresses to introduce us to Tamas and Prabhas. While both consider themselves aspiring authors, there is a clear power dynamic that exists between the two, irrespective of the many shared cups of tea and cigarettes. The younger Tamas presents a protege/assistant relationship with the older, more experienced Prabhas, a relationship that has been in existence for the last two years. Surrounding this are a myriad more elements all fraught with different kinds of anxieties - a failed marriage, a father’s passing, familial conflict, a mountain of lies, and most importantly, the desperation and unwavering dream to become a published writer. 

The narrative does a skilled job of exploring all of this, and some more. The performances and the shared chemistry between the two actors ensure that the numerous complexities are allowed a fitting portrayal. Though a few limitations of resources appear in terms of the visuals, the storytelling of the end result triumphs over them all.

Shrey | Short Film Nominee

A young man sits in a cafe, watching a girl from a distance as he draws her on paper. The discovery of her sketches in his notebook are bewildering for her and she threatens to call the police on him. However, once he hands over the sketches to her and she concludes he's harmless, she lets it go. Soon, another encounter throws them in together and frequent meetings follow thereafter, further nurturing their budding love story. However, beyond coffee dates and being smitten with each other, lies another narrative, one of nightmares and dark secrets. As the two get intertwined more tightly, are they headed down a path of no return?

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