A woman arrives at an unknown location, all by herself, to meet a strange man. This is the image which is offered to the viewer right at the start of the film. She is unsure, worried and deeply afraid of something, and yet, she continues her endeavor - interviewing a serial killer, a mentally unbalanced, deranged man who has a past of violence, both inflicted on and by him. 

The film employs a limited physical space, the entirety of the conversation unfolding without the characters moving from their position right until the end. And yet the fear and unease that the narrative manages to instill in the viewer is powerful and notable. Consequently, Atrangi becomes a product that simply utilizes its writing and performances to invoke an atmosphere of horror. 

 A sense of something sinister being afoot never leaves you throughout the film, making you deeply concerned about the fate of the woman who sits before this man who, on the other hand, is recounting all his crimes and acts of cruelty with absolute nonchalance. It is in this use of few resources, minus any garish tools and devices, to successfully communicate its story, that the true success of the film lies, keeping you engaged and involved all along. The film could have gained from more control on the lucidity of its visuals. However, the uncertainty about the fate of the characters preoccupies you instead of its technical aspects, further ensuring that when the revelation finally arrives, it is a conclusion befitting the premise set so far.

Atrangi | Short Film of the Day

The film ties together several disparate elements, and does so in a smooth manner. The story is marked by violence, corrupt politicians, paid assassins, an upright journalist and his steadfast refusal to cow down before the forces of corruption, and lastly, a slice of a pizza that comes to lie at the heart of it all. 

After working for three years towards revealing the dubious activities of a powerful politician, a journalist has finally put his own life at stake in the pursuit of presenting the truth to the world. However, amidst this grand, selfless act, rests a sweetly petty desire, the desire to enjoy a slice of his favorite pizza before bidding goodbye to the world. 

As the partaking of the pizza overlaps with the arrival of the protagonist's killer, things spiral completely out of control. The ensuing chaos offers the film’s core motivations, as well as the climax that finally segues into a balanced conclusion.

For a Slice of Pizza | Short Film of the Day

The film is a fictional retelling of the story of Elfriede Maria Schmidt, a German woman who spent the last decade of her life in India. A Jewish woman who had lost her father in the Second World War, Maria found her way to India after a failed marriage to a Pakistani man. The narrative shows the final years of her life, away from any loved ones. In the process, the film also becomes a comment on loneliness and isolation, especially in old age. The story is presented to the viewer through the account of a journalist who tries to figure out the details of her life before her passing away. It further draws attention to the issue of unclaimed bodies of those who have no friends and family to come forward for their last rites after their death. The film is an honest and noble attempt and puts forth the same intention in a sincere manner.

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