Following a chapter-wise division for its narrative, the film attempts an incisive commentary on the state of journalism in contemporary India. This is explored along with a simultaneous engagement with the ideas of community, religion, perception and how our views might be coloured with a prior understanding of the world and society. The film opens in the middle of a heath along a desolate highway where two media professionals are headed to an Army basecamp in pursuit of a story. The plot unfolds to reveal their own individual approaches to the idea of getting the truth across to people. As matters come to a head, both the characters as well as the audience find themselves in a disconcerting position, one where stereotypes, truth and misconceptions, all come to a head. The film has intelligent thought behind its scripting and the manner in which it beads together the various components of its plot. However, despite potential for notable performances, the actors come across as being under-utilised by the progression of the story.

At the Dot | Short Film of the Day

Given the contemporary political context, in India specifically, and the world over generally, conversation around dissent is gaining more and more prominence. The short film raises the same concern about the ability to speak out against wrongs being done in society, while forces more powerful than the wronged individual, try their best to use their sway to silence them. Employing the example of Delhi riots that made for extremely disturbing headlines of brutal violence earlier in 2020, the film shares the story of a journalist who has chosen the side of truth, even in the face of all kinds of threats and the jeopardy it puts her in. The dilemma, which forms the backbone of this narrative presented forth by the single-member-crew of the film, is about whether to safeguard one's own well-being or to risk it all for the sake of the greater good, and telling those stories to the world, which despite and because of the truth they carry, have the most lasting and adverse consequences.

The Article | 2020 Film Challenge

The film is essentially the story of a journalist who is made to work to the bone by his employer, and yet, when he uncovers an important story, perhaps the kind of undertaking that would make his otherwise soulless job meaningful, he finds his path strewn with all kinds of obstacles. The story ropes in several concerns like corruption, nepotism, privilege and the clout all of these allow an individual, while also offering an interesting portrayal of life away from the predominantly metropolitan narratives that constitute much of the mainstream visual space. The narrative thus deserves full points for its dedicated endeavour as well as the intention to share a relevant and significant story about the experiences of an average person in a society where innumerable factors threaten to curb his freedom in different ways at every step.

Angoisse | Short Film Nominee

As the name can spell out, the film is a comment upon the contagious sickness that has pervaded the
broadcast media today. It wants to be a comment on that particular strain of journalism which is losing its meaning with every passing day. The same is becoming evident in the lack of examination of several issues of pressing concern, those that include bigotry, communal disharmony and an environment of anti-intellectualism. The film traces the episode of a
news editor, Amit Chaudary, a character marked by his awareness of his caste privilege, who interviews Ratan
Rangeela, a ‘viral’ social media “star”. The interview turns part-comedy, part-satire, as every
inflammatory provocation instigated by the reporter is flipped by the (in)famous man. The man starts
cross-questioning the reporter instead, revealing how removed he is from the
reality outside of his insulated, privileged chambers. The film also debunks the myth formulated by
corporate media about the degrading public taste which demands sensational news.

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