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

Samskara translates to 'impressions' - something around which the whole narrative of the film would come to pivot. The visuals make the most skilled use of hand-hold shots and dimly lit frames to build up the tension and suspense of the characters. The viewer is able to participate in it, owing to the manner in which they are weaved. The narrative also makes an expert use of parallel narratives. The reason it works visually and manages to drive its point home most convincingly is because of the seamless editing. The film is an exploration of the extent of the effect of abuse and how entrapping childhood trauma can be. The exploration also justifies the title - the cyclical nature of life, constituted by an external repeat of internal impressions.

Samskara | Namit Das

Directed by Vasu Dixit, the music video raises concerns about a very important issue - depression among school students. What begins as an innocent instruction, many of us would associate with our childhood, "Beta, sweater peheno", soon takes the form of a didactic, suffocating diktat. The claustrophobic tone of the video is further enhanced by the visuals of the five band members against the backdrop of an empty school. The overwhelming emptiness of the minimalist frames invokes the idea of school students drowning in expectations and the pressure to perform. Beta Sweater Peheno makes a relevant comment about the conversation around mental health and leaves you feeling overwhelmed, and perhaps that is the point of the music video.

Beta Sweater Pehno | Short Film of the Day

Malota is unique and refreshing in the manner in which it tells its story. While the adults struggle with practical concerns of sustenance and survival, the world of children has very different issues to deal with. When the birth of puppies throws young Gulaab's plans to finish his homework, the fear of a ruthless teacher's thrashing leads him to bunk school. What he learns outside the institutionalised centre of learning is perhaps more likely to stay with him than the table of 12.75. The film pays close attention to detail and is endearing and profound in equal measure.

Malota | Short Film of the Day

This short film by Pia Shah is the most endearing take on a child's fear of water. Backed by a notable background score, Waterbaby takes the viewer into the life of young Melvin with his pregnant mother and neglectful father. While navigating the metaphorical waters of peer pressure and familial conflict, he finds himself smitten with a new classmate one day. She invites him for a pool party on her birthday and all Melvin can resort to are the lessons he's learnt from Boy Aqua, an animated show he watches regularly. As he stands before a swimming pool in front of school bullies, all his friends and the object of his affection, will Melvin take the plunge?

Waterbaby | Short Film of the Day

Based on a true story of a farmer's suicide in Maharashtra, the short film reminds the viewer that the simplest of stories can be the most hard-hitting. Art indeed is an imitation of reality which is often what makes it disconcerting. The narrative is linear, straight and simple, yet weaved in a manner that will make the film stay with the audience for a very long time. Giving us a glimpse into the plight of an onion farmer, the short film delineates a trip he makes to a local mandi to sell his harvest. The exploitation at the hands of the buyers is brazen enough to be even dismissed by his young son as being ridiculous. On the other hand, the farmer, bound by need and poverty, has no alternative, but to accept it. The whole act is vehemently rejected by the child, who violently protests against it. His father, however, can do little beyond weeping at a fate out of which only death seems to be a certain escape.

Mandi | Short Film of the Day

Imagine you are sitting in a classroom, writing an exam, but you don't know any of the answers? Bringing a nightmare for many to life is Little Hands, an endearing short film by Rohan Raveendran Nair. The intelligent camerawork of the film is undoubtedly its biggest strength. Without showing any faces, Little Hands, moves from one pair of hands to another to share a story of intimidating questions, the struggle to find their answers, the risks taken to achieve them and finally the sacrifice to help someone in need. The short film is skilful and innocent in equal measures and leaves the viewer with definite answers about friendship and kindness.

Little Hands | Short Film of the Day

Three orphan boys, who somehow fight back the many obstacles of penury to survive, one day scrap enough money to visit the local carnival. As Monty, Kamal and Kunnu reach the fare, little are they aware of how an entry ticket too has to be bought first.


 Spending all their money at the entrance itself leaves them with none for rides or other colorful, dazzling attractions the space holds. As they move from one mini-adventure to another, vicariously enjoying the fare through other patrons, while also longingly staring at the families and children who got dealt a better hand at life than them, the visit nevertheless becomes full of surprises and twists. All of these visuals enjoy the portrayal they deserve with sophisticated camerawork and a judicious use of a very young cast.

 Things finally come to a head in a high-paced chase scene which completely alters the course of the night, and perhaps, also the lives of the little boys. As the older boy comforts the younger one with truths he is not entirely sure of himself, the viewer is allowed a poignant moment where a child is deprived of the innocence of childhood, and forced by the many cruelties of the adult world to acquire the role of the protective caretaker. This protectiveness is evident right from the very start; the undeniable sense of the three of them against the world pervades the plot throughout, allowing us an endearing story of friendship, camaraderie, but one which is cut too short too soon by tragedy.

Mela | Short Film of the Month

‘Chimta’ loves to lead your expectations in a specific direction regarding the mood and intentions of the story, only to deliberately foil them. Consequently, it forms a bond with the viewer right at the onset which ensures that they stay with it, and its endearing protagonist, Chimta, till the very end. 

In a pandemic-stricken world, Chimta, a twelve-year-old-boy who simply wishes to do his homework, goes on a little adventure seeking virality, and perhaps, an eventual television appearance with his trusted companion, Aashiq. While maintaining a lighthearted tone, marked by the humor generated at the expense of all the characters that find themselves at the unwitting mercy of two little boys determined to take on the world, the film also presents a subtle, but unmissable suggestion of darkness. 

Alcoholism, abuse, dire financial straits - the narrative invokes them all, and yet, never allows itself to be bogged down by any of them. Even though the writing seems to lose some of its tautness as the plot nears conclusion, the storytelling remains original and notable, becoming a standout characteristic of the film.

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