Saving Chintu is one of those films that you just want to wrap in a hug; the film too, in turn, is bound
to leave you wrapped in the warmth of its inclusive embrace. It is a heart-warming
exploration of love - both unconditional and conditional - between couples, friends, and
a parent and their child. 

There are two parallel stories, seemingly unrelated, that play out in the film. The first is of a middle-
aged doctor who is, in every respect, the very definition of a gentleman and, in general, a good
person. He runs a non-profit medical practice, gives up his seat on the bus to let a woman sit without
demanding any gratitude in return, turns a table fan away from himself towards his sick patient and
her mother, and is a loving husband looking to adopt a child with his wife – the sort of man that any
Indian grandmother would approvingly say was “raised right”. 

 The second story follows a gay couple
looking to adopt and raise a child of their own, with their heart set on a boy in India – Chintu. As we
watch the couple struggle with emotional conflicts, cultural obstacles, and complexities that come
with the adoption, and the doctor and his wife contemplate their own decisions regarding adopting
a child, the two stories eventually collide and merge together in a manner that is largely predictable,
but no less heartening and moving.

<h2>The film throws light on several important issues without ever exploiting them, or seeming preachy.
The stories and emotions are honest and real, enhanced by the brilliant and raw performances by
the film’s cast. It explores topics like HIV, discrimination and complications faced by the LGBTQ
community, adoption, and what it means to be a family, with a tenderness, authenticity, and
attention to detail that clearly reflects the effort put into research and how close these topics are to
the filmmakers’ hearts. </h2>

Naming the young boy Chintu itself is fascinating; it signifies someone being small and vulnerable –
someone in need of protection and saving. Being a common child's name in India, it also, perhaps,
signifies a lack of identity – someone like a child in an orphanage who might not have formally been
given a name. 

<h2>Watching the protagonists interact with the abrupt, clearly orthodox officials at the
orphanage is enough to unsettle you with disgust at the fact that most
government institutions in India are, in fact, run by people like him. It is further accompanied by horror at the plight of the
helpless children like Chintu who are dependent on them.</h2>

The film, at the end of the day, is more uplifting than it is upsetting. However, this doesn’t take
away from the fact that Chintu indeed needs saving, and anyone, irrespective of
their gender, race, caste, sexual identity or orientation, who is willing and able to provide this safety
should be allowed the chance to take care of him. At its conclusion, more than simply being a heart-warming, emotional film, it is also a reminder of the harsh reality that Chintus everywhere must be waging a battle against.

 
Written by Sanjana Bhagwat

Saving Chintu | Adil Hussain, Dipannita Sharma | Review

Despite the presence of Article 15 in the Indian Constitution, which forbids discrimination of people based on their religion, caste and creed, the contemporary reality in the country is far from it. This video with Ayushmann Khurana calls out the same. Ahead of the release of his film Article 15, it becomes one of the many similar videos Khurrana has been doing with other publications. In terms of treatment, the video is simple and straight. The writing is constituted by powerful poetry, questioning the status quo. It earns full points for being thought provoking and impactful, albeit not standing out for its visuals, art direction and overall execution.

Article 15 - Throne Of Equal Opportunities | Short Film of the Day

The issues that the narrative addresses are urgent - those of marginalization and oppression. Cruelty meted out to a person based on their identity, be it caste or gender, or any other imagined or real idea, is condemnable in every way, and the narrative makes its agreement with the proposition loud and clear. It is the unequivocal manner of this articulation that becomes the force to drive the drama of the film. 'Unremembered' is further marked by skilled visuals, and a seamless progression that enhances the final result notably. The songs that constitute its background score remain chirpy, making the terrible events unfolding before you all the more jarring in their darkness. In the process, the film, albeit marked by a few wrinkles that require ironing, becomes an important story of the forgotten ones, the lives that fall between the cracks of society's hegemonic structures.

Unremembered | Short Film Nominee

The Rohingya refugee crisis has been one of the most staggering displacement of people in history. As hundreds of thousands of people found themselves driven out of their country, or meet a torturous, horrifying fate if they stayed, countless lives were uprooted and scattered to the wind in a cruel, horrifying, haphazard manner. The short docu endeavors to explore the many tribulations of these lives, now having found shelter in a refugee camp in Bangladesh. 

Through the eyes of a doctor, Babar Ali, who works in the camp, the narrative introduces the viewer to it all. From smiling children, to ill elderly to distraught men and women who articulate their unbridled misery to the camera, it attempts to engage with them all. The final result, thus, does its bit to further and spread the conversation on a very pressing, dire issue of contemporary times.

Rohingya | Short Film Nominee

The documentary film attempts to draw attention to pertinent issues like cleanliness, the lack of it and its effects on the environment. The narrative is further complicated as its weaved with the ideas of class and the struggle of the cleaning community of a small town called Vengurla in Maharashtra. It touches upon discrimination, lack of equal opportunities and rights in a professional space, marginalisation and exposure to health risks due to lack of adequate equipment and healthcare measures. Packed with some honest and powerful voices, the film does its bit to raise awareness about an often neglected issue.

Ganda Kaam | Short Film of the Day

In the contemporary atmosphere of increasing discrimination and divisiveness, especially on the basis of religion, the short film comes forth with an emphatic message. The approach it adopts for the same is endearing and devoid of any preachiness. Tiffin opens with visuals of a school, just about to start bursting with the energy of young kids. However, even a world as innocent as this is fraught by the discriminatory laws it has inherited from the adult world. The strength of the film lies in the subtle, quiet manner it adopts to address its concern, along with being supplemented by a convincing performance of the young lead. When society finds itself torn apart by hollow walls of us and them, hope indeed has a resilient, unusual way of making its presence felt, won't you agree?

Tiffin | Short Film Nominee

‘Happy Birthday’ has something very crucial to say. However, it opens with a tonality that is deliberately kept far from that. It is the eve of Anjali’s birthday when the film begins, and she plans a night of fun and enjoyment with her partner, as well as her friends. However, the plan soon seems to be devolving into chaos as one canceled step is followed by another. 

At the same time, the narrative has quietly started suggesting that something darker might be lurking right below the obvious, something that would truly be realized at the film’s conclusion. While the night continues to develop, we are taken deeper into the endearing relationship of the two characters. They discuss their equation with the city, Bengaluru, their affection for it, or even the lack of it, laughing about the devotional songs of their ringtones, among other things, all along presenting to us the many innocent and sincere details of their romance. 

 The exchange helps to serve as an impactful contrast with what eventually follows at the film's disconcerting climax and conclusion. Though requiring a little more finetuning in the department of sound, the film presents an important story. Once the rough edges are ironed out, more such creative endeavors should definitely be interacted with in the future.

Happy Birthday | Short Film Nominee

The comment Anikashta makes is one of increasing relevance, especially in a world where conversation around discrimination and marginalization is gaining more prominence every single day. A man has arrived at the office of a busy property dealer to look for a house. Their discussion seems to be developing smoothly until the latter asks the former his name. The answer determines his religious identity, and along with it, ushers in stereotypes, bias and prejudice. The short film, thus, becomes an endeavor in invoking the hollowness of it all and the manner in which they come to negatively, and sometimes, adversely affect sincere and dedicated attempts of minorities to throw off the shackles of discrimination in India.

Anikashta | Short Film Nominee

One way to describe the film would be to talk about it as a story of Ryan’s victimisation, ostracisation,
abuse and humiliation on the basis of his sexuality. Another would be to call out the bullying and
harassment of Ryan at the hands of his bigoted, homophobic colleagues, who not only invade
all limits of decency, privacy and civility, but also cause him harm. However, the film does not strictly subscribe to either of these categories as its narrative unfolds before the viewer. Poetry Night ends on a note that invokes violence, revenge and, at the conclusion, gives a hue to the drama that is entirely opposite of what it had set up so far.

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