Karthik and Krati’s path crosses in a train, and their instant chemistry leads to a free-flowing conversation. As the journey continues, the exchange traverses several territories of a shared Bollywood love, manifestation of dreams and desires, parallel lives of a soul, death, and the sadness left in its wake. 

With the progressing narrative, however, something else, away from this realm of cheeriness, also seems to be lurking right under the surface. The plot thus smoothly intertwines loss, grief, and the subsequent coping within its folds. 

The storytelling, narrative building and the ease of the performances aid this reality fully. Notwithstanding a few hiccups in the sound department, the subsequent endeavor remains heartfelt, and earnest all along.

RAC | Short Film Nominee

Two roommates, with diverse, even conflicting approaches to love and life, share an interesting conversation over tea and cigarettes. On the one hand, there is the loveless cynic who criticizes films and media for over-romanticizing sexual relationships. He brings in the analogy of cats being neutered at an early age and how that helps them live longer, fuller lives. 
The optimist, on the other hand, advises his friend to not give up on ‘love’ as it is endearing and leads to personal growth. However, it seems as if his seemingly perfect long-distance relationship is not as smooth and effortless as he would prefer it to be. They converse further on related topics and an unsaid understanding develops, owing to their own personal experiences, along with the realization that for better or worse, they both envy a cat.

We Envy a Cat | Short Film Nominee

The scene is set for a casual evening between a group of friends. With Sameera and Madhu readying their house for what is to follow, Akash soon arrives, along with the news that their fourth friend would be late. While waiting for him and discussing his tendency to never be punctual, they start a conversation about a relationship he once had with a teacher of theirs in school. 

After the setting has been established, the narrative attempts a conversation around the ideas of right and wrong, consent in relationships, and the power dynamics that operate within them. With the arrival of the fourth friend, however, enters a plot point that deliberately subverts the expectations conjured so far, allowing the writing to offer its final flourish. Though the voice is young, and the themes at hand slightly under-explored, it prepares the groundwork for a thought that should definitely be engaged with at a deeper level in more projects to come.

Thappopula Thipalu | Short Film Nominee

Two strangers meet one night under unusual circumstances. Both of them are men located at very
different stages in their life. The young man is reclusive and hesitant at first, but slowly warms up to the
cheer of the middle-aged man. What unites them is India’s finest, and most loved poet and lyricist,
Gulzar. Maybe it was the sentiment of the poetry, the chai, the silence of the night or something in the
air that made him open up about his life’s deepest struggles to a stranger and earn invaluable life
lessons from the exchange. 
The film has an easy-going vibe to it which invites the viewer to be involved without coercively demanding this involvement.

Parichay | Gulzar | Short Film Nominee

The short film opens with a young couple fighting over insignificant insecurities and lack of understanding on a call. The call ends abruptly due to a milkman at the girl’s house who rings the doorbell. The film then follows the milkman and his conversation with his younger brother as they ride on a motorbike, delivering milk to various houses. They talk about Islamophobia and its dire repercussions on the marginalized Muslims. The ensuing conversation allows for a rejection of the idea of violence that stems from extremism, but also undercuts the true potential of the discussion a little too soon. 
The brothers eventually stop to deliver milk at a shop when the film shifts its focus to two fast food delivery agents as they try to find a common ground amongst conflicting opinions about love and lifestyle. As the film inches close to its end, a connection among all characters is revealed.

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