The music video is strangely feel-good and uplifting despite the dark topic it deals with. A man after finding earth unliveable for his beloved and their unborn child, sets out on a space adventure to find a habitable planet. Whether or not his quest is successful, the journey of colourful images in itself turns out to be an interesting one to go on with the protagonist. The hopeful vocals become a gentle reminder of how art can indeed save the day no matter how bleak and dark things seem in the world. If not, there is always the option of hitting replay and starting all over again until you find your perfect refuge.

Hold On | Short Film of the Day

At its onset, ‘Adbhut’ gives little inkling of the direction it is headed in, one that attempts the tone of a horror-fantasy/thriller. Anmol opens the door to find an unexpected guest at his doorstep, the eponymous protagonist of the film. The duo is soon completed by a third friend, Chitra. 

The conversation develops to reveal Chitra’s loss of her brother to suicide, along with some more overlapping, disconcerting details. In the mix, a comment is also to be made about environmental concerns and the impact of humans’ rampant waste of natural resources on the planet. 

 The end result exhibits a dedicated attempt at telling a story, along with the use of special effects to bring its vision and reality to life. As for the fate of the characters, at a micro level, and that of the entire existence, at a macro level, concrete, definitive answers await within the film’s conclusion.

Adbhut | Short Film Nominee

The short film is a brave attempt with a noble intention. Borrowing the stylistic characteristics of a silent film, 'Man on a Bicycle' attempts to draw the viewer's attention to a pressing concern - the deteriorating health of the environment. It juxtaposes the image of soaring pollution levels against that of an indifferent people, too tied up in their day-to-day business to be concerned. The narrative tries to achieve this by showing everything that a man encounters on his daily route. As images of smoke, vehicular pollution and disease populate the screen, the film raises the question - is an end to human apathy possible?

Man On A Bicycle | Short Film Nominee

The narrative opens on a melancholic note, marked by the complete darkness of the scene, save for the little light that makes its way from a laptop screen. The tone is immediately made clear, it is one of regret, guilt and the crushing realisation of a mistake. The initial emotion that is conjured is one of heartache, perhaps at the loss of a lover. However, the film has a different message up its sleeve. Arriving at the very end as a reminder of all our follies as a society, it takes the form of an engagement with the reality of a world that has been struck by a pandemic, forcing us all into a lockdown.

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