There is a reason Netflix has become one of the most prominent and accomplished content creators in India. After making a deep mark for itself in the global visual space, it's pretty much on its way to achieve the same in the country. Don't believe us? Here's evidence in the form of this ad film starring Vijay Varma playing a pickpocket in the most convincing manner. The YouTube title of the video suggests that it's going to be about the product Netflix has to offer, a cheap subscription, yet, the viewer is left guessing throughout as to how this marketing goal will be achieved. It's a single-character narrative with beautifully shot visuals and an equally strong voiceover by Varma. The sophisticated cinematography, the powerful performance and the wonderful writing of the film are all tied together most seamlessly with visual tools referencing to Netflix's most popular shows, both in India and internationally. This ad film, thus, more than simply being a commercial selling a product, is also a visual treat for fans of not just the content it refers to, but also of storytelling and visual arts in general.

Pappu Pakitmaar | Short Film of the Day

A viewer should go to Gadhedo unprepared and unsuspecting and allow themselves to be impressed and entertained by a wonderful short film. The story is of a small village where the local teacher lounges and relaxes at the cost of his pupils' education. As Monday becomes 'Monde' and week becomes 'weak', it is not hard to determine the direction his students are headed in. Add to all this his eccentric, witless landlord, and the drama of the film unfolds in the most unpredictable and engaging manner. The film is unique and refreshing in the style it adopts to tell its story, a folk tale, as it states at the start. It has several moments of brilliance as the viewer tries to pin it down to a genre - comedy, drama, thriller? What happens when a simpleton decides to pay a huge sum to his devious tenant to turn his donkey into a human? The consequences are hilarious, surprising and saddening - all at the same time, allowing Gadhedo to be a skilled and sophisticated piece of art.

Gadhedo | Vikrant Massey | Short Film of the Day

The film is an unexpected, enjoyable and interesting union of lightheartedness, chirpiness, and something potentially disconcerting. Our first glimpse into its world is by way of a taxi ride that a man is part of. Even though we don't see a female presence next to him, we are soon told that a woman’s voice never leaves him alone. 

Instructing him with bizarre ideas, resulting in even more absurd situations, sometimes at his own expense, and sometimes at the expense of those around him, she is Rudy's constant companion. Her voice soon becomes a lovely metaphor for perhaps any inhibitions or limitations that might exist in the viewer’s mind as well, keeping them from being all that they can be, or doing all that they want to, be it socializing or feeling comfortable in their own skin and bodies. 

The film does a notable job of presenting all of these ideas to you without making itself overbearing or overwhelming. Its colors remain deliberately effervescent and fun, with the tone and approach matching the overall final result.

Thank You for Sharing | Short Film of the Day

Wearing a tie that tips the hat to some iconic cartoon characters, which also serve as the film's namesake, a man has arrived for what is potentially the most important interview of his life. Under the garb of giving an interview for a job, he plans to pitch his tech start-up to a possible investor. It is precisely this moment which offers the crux of the narrative, and its journey till here is indeed a beautifully involving and engaging one. 

Rajeev, a man of passion and eccentricites, is struggling to get his start-up running on its feet. Despite the financial troubles that engulf his family of a loving, supportive, but worried wife, Keerti, and daughter, Arushi, he is unable to give up hope just yet on his dream project. 

The film brings this reality to life in a deeply sincere manner. The end result is marked by seamless writing and equally crucial and smooth performances that ensure you remain invested in the fate of the protagonist, as well as the narratorial progression, all along.

Looney | Short Film of the Month

The protagonist's day starts off at the very wrong foot. From a quarrel with his wife regarding a broken window to annoyance at the carpenter who refuses to show up for work he has already been paid for, the tribulations have no end. All of the drama unfolds within a lusciously green corner tucked away in a rural, peaceful part of Kerala where there is little available by means of entertainment beyond prying into your neighbor's life. 

Despite the aforementioned obstacles, there is still little more in store for the protagonist who is yet to battle a punctured tire, but most important of all, an unexpected call from his father-in-law. After catching a humongous murrel, a fish known for its delicious meat, he is busy with the preparations of an elaborate lunch when the fateful call occurs. 

 By employing all of these events, further marked by their quiet humor at the haplessness of the protagonist, the narrative moves from one development to another effortlessly. All along, the viewer is kept engrossed and entertained at his expense, eventually allowing the film to come together as a coherent, cohesive whole.

Bral | Short Film Nominee

Equipped with a controlled pace, the world of ‘Bhojan’ is constructed gradually. The narrative spends time with ease on each individual component. The entirety of the plot unfolds within the span of one day in the life of our protagonist, Vishal.

 In this duration, however, the film presents to you a complete picture of Vishal’s social location, his working class background, and all the hopes, dreams and aspirations that he harbors within. The narrative further exhibits seamlessness in the manner in which it employs both humor, and drama to share its intentions. 

Additionally, the protagonist is brought to life with sincerity and skill in terms of writing as well as performance. The story also covers an interesting journey from the moment of its opening to the conclusion, presenting to us two very contrasting images, finally united by an unexpected, yet organic, narratorial flow.

Bhojan | Short Film Nominee

Jhinge and Bowal are out on a mission - to move up in their life of petty crime and transition into something more meaty...perhaps a murder. As life would have it, they are soon presented with the perfect opportunity - the killing of a lawyer. After spending a few days observing him from afar, the two men get to work (to their best capacity). 

The film engages with all of this, roping in elements of an entertaining buddy film, as well as those of crime, humor, and drama. The chemistry between its characters is effortless, thereby enhancing the final result. The punches, sometimes frivolous and flippant, other times more sustained and deliberate, all land, allowing it to further succeed in sharing its story. 

The storytelling is marked by a comprehensive beginning, middle and end. The shadowy, dim-lit visuals further conjure an adequate image of the world for you. The film loses some points in the department of sound, but this is easy to overlook in the face of the end product, and everything that it eventually offers.

Bondhuk Baaji| Short Film of the Day

The first instance that the viewer encounters in the film is a harmless situation of a mother nagging her son to be more responsible. So far, so good, right? Wrong for this, in no way, prepares you for what is to come, and when it finally does, it takes a moment to realise what truly hit you. The narrative is conceived beautifully, making its writing the most notable aspect of the film, with the visuals at a close second. Before you know it, our two characters have found themselves in a deep mess with little to no escape possible. Moments of humour are tied with elements of crime and drama seamlessly to ensure that you remain at the edge of your seat throughout, completely blindsided by the events that will continue to unfold. There indeed is no rest for the wicked as we learn from the misfortunes of our characters who take us along on this bumpy ride of unexpected violence, the consequent panic and the desperate attempts to find a way out of it. As broken glass bottles become their biggest foe, leading them to terrifying situations, the film covers a long distance between its opening and closing visuals, keeping you involved the whole time.

What The... | Short Film of the Day

‘Radhan’, a film that invokes the word satisfaction in its title, becomes a story of pursuit, of exploration, of arriving and perhaps even finally receiving. Through the characters of Ujjwal and Madhu, a cynic and a happy free-spirit, respectively, the film constructs its world for the viewer. 

The end result is marked by an earnest desire to conjure its reality, as well as to bring in a sense of dreamy ease within the narratorial progression. Even if it does not go all the way in exploring the many aspects of this particular kind of storytelling, the film still remains marked by its own unique voice to give a twist to the age-old opposites-attract-trope of romantic tales. 
Additionally, the chemistry of the two actors ushers in a sense of endearment that suffuses the film with a warmth that would stay with you long after you are done watching it.

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