‘Rabt’ is a beautiful story about an unexpected connection, an unlikely link between two very disparate characters, Manav, a worker for a company that sells caller tunes, and Dhananjay, an old man who lives in the hills with his disgruntled domestic worker. 

If the former is stuck in a dead-end job which leaves him little room to expand his true passion of music and singing, the latter deals with dementia. However, the similarity between the two characters remains their own respective emotional burdens that they quietly carry. From guilt and regret to hurt and disappointment, all of these emotions are painted on the canvas of the narrative without making it mawkish or maudlin. 

The writing of the film does a commendable job of discussing ideas of marriage, family, fidelity and relationships, and the many variables that continue to mold them indefinitely. The background score is especially complementary in supporting this conversation. All of it is handled with sincerity, ensuring that the end result of the film is a lovely, heartfelt story.

Rabt | Short Film Nominee

The film chooses a pimp as its protagonist and provides a unique exploration of the character's lived reality. It does a skillful job of straddling images of domesticity, and a world of prostitution without giving into flippancies or inelegance, a trap a filmmaker might fall into while dealing with a similar subject matter. The narrative further ties in drama with an unexpected and effortless comic element. A man who is engaged with the underbelly of prostitution, also has another existence that involves a loving, devoted wife. The performances are definitely the strongest aspect of the film, supplemented by impeccable chemistry between the two primary actors. Further, the writing endeavours to invoke ideas of guilt and the moral compunctions the protagonist struggles with. The first half of the film is concerned more with introducing us to the characters and their relationships. The second half is marked by the swiftness of its events as things come into their own very quickly, whereas it would have helped to have a more organic pace for the narrative. The first half sets up a high goal for itself, primarily owing to an intelligent premise, but will it be able to achieve it entirely?

Inner City | Short Film of the Day

The film wastes not a single breath before taking you directly into the heart of the matter. The core is defined by the burden of traumatic experiences, and the guilt and helplessness that can sometimes be left behind in the wake of a tragedy. At the same time, sufficient stress is laid on the role of friendship and unconditional support of the loved ones in helping someone overcome their internal demons. Issues of mental health are thus tied with the protagonist’s immediate reality and relationships to bring the plot to life. 

The end product of the film is sincere and devoted, and marked by the intention to share an important story with the viewer, along with its inherent, urgent message.

Silent Screams  | Short Film Nominee

‘Macbeth’ is an engagement with guilt that has followed in the wake of a violent act. At the onset of the story, we are met with a terribly heinous occurrence. It is an event that would continue to have ripples on the rest of the narrative. We are then met with the eponymous protagonist and the many ways in which his conscience has been fractured by the ensuing guilt, especially in a world afflicted by the isolation of the pandemic. 

The film brings in a dedicated effort in stylizing itself with music, even if a few minor slips stay in the department of visuals. There is further evidence of devotion to storytelling and the execution of the plot, characteristics which can and should be explored in future projects.

Macbeth | Short Film Nominee

Guilt introduces the viewer to the hellish experiences of a woman who finds herself unable to sleep, constantly being plagued by recurrent nightmares. As a man called Dev seems to hold bewildering and disorienting exchanges with her in them, a discussion of the same with her doctor takes the audience deeper into her world. In the process, questions of right and wrong, the fluidity of truth, and importance of perception in deciphering events around us are portrayed. The story continues to move forward, and just when one might think a resolution has been achieved, an unexpected development awaits the audience. 

The approach of the narrative is marked by a subjective and philosophical musing regarding the topic of hypnosis and the many complexities of the human mind, instead of an empirical or objective one. As the title suggests, there is further the attempt to explore repression and denial of different kinds. The storytelling also attempts to bleed dreams into reality, using special effects and sound, to familiarize the viewer with its world. 

The end result is sincere and dedicated, even though not entirely smooth. It is indeed the narratorial development which becomes relatively the most notable strength of the film. Additionally, the desire to share its story is evident enough to overcome the few other weaknesses in the progression of events that might make themselves known within the film otherwise.

Guilt | Short Film Nominee

A man is about to wipe off all the bank accounts of another in a cyberattack. The former, a hacker, will rob Ashwathaman, a master hacker himself, of his entire wealth. When he calls his victim to make him aware of his fate, however, a very unexpected development awaits the protagonist. Ashwathaman is about to take his life by suicide. Unable to let him simply kill himself, the anonymous hacker engages him in a conversation, which further leads to important discoveries. A discussion around guilt is invoked, to give way to a revelation that eventually explains the hacker's deep interest in the fate of his hapless victim.

The Hacker | Short Film Nominee

A boy is unable to sleep one night due to nightmares. Right when he is about to go back to bed, perhaps in a futile attempt, his phone alerts him of a message from seemingly a love interest. The plot then moves between the past and the present to invoke a narrative that aims to shock. Oppressive guilt, loss and longing for a former relationship enter the situation, but would it be in a manner you might have have been led to believe so far? As these emotions gain overwhelming proportions in the protagonist's life, who is also battling a serious mental health condition, there is further the attempt to look into the cause and effect relationship between the two, the emotions and the illness.

Maaya | Lockdown Film Challenge

The short narrative is an attempt at discussing guilt, grief, loss and everything that they leave behind in their wake. The story is of Aakash and Manavi, but told through the point of view of the latter’s heart and mind, Hridaya and Vidya. While Manavi finds herself drowning in despair after very unfortunate developments, the two play corresponding memories, trying to lead her in the direction they both deem fit. The storytelling has an interesting approach. Perhaps the same voice can be explored further in projects with tighter execution.

Dil Or Dimaag | Short Film Nominee

After a man has committed several acts of extreme violence, can he let go of the burden of the endless pain he has caused to others? The film raises the same question, the answer to which also rests within its folds. A gangster finds himself unable to reconcile to the guilt of his past deeds. The consequent emotional pressure soon begins to take a disturbing shape, presenting itself in the form of paranoia that he cannot shake off. Constantly feeling as if he is being followed, he is incapable of moving on with life. As the pain, guilt, and the awareness of his wrongdoings continue to become increasingly overbearing, where will the protagonist find himself at the end of it all?

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