Trigger Warning: Graphic Content 

The film is a poignant and inspiring narrative about an organisation that rescues animals in the Indian city of Raipur. It takes the viewer into the lives of the founder and her small, but dedicated team who works tirelessly and relentlessly, even in the face of all obstacles, be it financial, societal (linked to the gender of the volunteers, for instance) or beyond. The documentary is deeply moving, heartwarming, emotional, endearing and impactful, all in equal measure. What started as an unexpected set of events when the founder, dressed in her finery and about to head to a social gathering, found an injured dog on a street, has now become a force to be reckoned with. Inherent to the core of the film is the message of kindness and doing your bit, despite hurdles like limited resources, unawareness, ignorance or just plain indifference of those around you, and the sacrifices that such an endeavour often demands. The film undeniably has a very powerful story to share, one that should be spread far and wide, for the betterment of the world we live in. All of this is further tied up with technical skill to make the narrative even more impactful. Vaatika is marked by its beautiful visuals (though some of them would be too graphic for sensitive viewers), seamless editing, crispness of narrative, eloquent interviewees and the deep, sincere desire to create something meaningful.

Vaatika | Short Film Nominee

It's the little moments that make up life as well as a good short film. Katran, a glimpse into these seemingly unimportant moments, is the story of an elderly couple which has decided to part ways after three decades of marriage. The chemistry between Piyush Mishra and Alka Amin beautifully captures the conflict and makes it the strongest aspect of the narrative. The protagonists are supported most efficiently by the other characters in the film which make brief, but not any less significant appearances. As the story progresses, it becomes clear to the viewer that separation indeed is the most peaceful and ideal solution for the couple. However is that the path they will also eventually choose to move ahead?

Katran | Piyush Mishra | Short Film of the Day

There are days when life is doleful and unsatisfying and there is indeed nothing that can lift your spirits. On days like those, take refuge in art, particularly in a product like Yesterday and allow it to uplift you like nothing else. This wonderfully written short film, shot in the most beautiful manner, will remind you that the pain of yesterday is precisely where it belongs - in the past. It will take you deep into the realms of attraction, love, heartbreak, separation, hurt and to love again, because what else can we be sure of if not the cyclical nature of life? The short film will involve you to the point where the boundaries between the self and the characters will blur. You will be with them during their highs and lows and at the end of it all, find yourself smiling again. The film will leave you with hope - to either treat it with carelessness or to hold on to it safely for a rainy day.

Yesterday | Short Film of the Day

The soulful music is backed by the most heartwarming visuals in this video. It's simple and straight and does not try to be anything it's not which is perhaps what makes it a successful product, hitting just the right chords with the viewer. It's a wonderful comment on how society marginalises everything that it doesn't understand, no matter how baseless its fears and apprehensions might be. It also shows that the warmth of love is sufficient to melt all barriers, irrespective of how strong they might be. The video employs an expert use of limited space and frames to tell its story. Not only is the manner of storytelling convincing, but it also succeeds in making Sage a wholesome piece of art.

Ritviz - Sage | Short Film of the Day

Looking back on Valentine's Day over the years, you realise we have celebrated singlehood, female companionships, pets, so on and so forth. Just when you thought there's nothing new that can be added to the list, a short film arrived with the most relevant and wonderful message. This V-Day, let's celebrate women who make the first move. Making a strong comment on gender dynamics, Old Fashioned Love, is about a conversation between a bartender and a man sketching by himself. The first reaction for many viewers can be of surprise - to see a woman behind the bar in India, and that is perhaps another comment that the film makes. The conversation between them is intelligently written. The narrative is simple and engaging and concludes with a powerful ending.

Old Fashioned Love | Short Film of the Day

A common thread for all successful romance stories are the nuances and subtleties that are employed in telling them. Among its other strengths, this is the first thing Kaande Pohe captures most effortlessly. Add to it convincing performances and chemistry, and there is little that can go wrong. The scene is set for a meeting between two families for the arranged marriage of their children. This in itself is not an entirely unique subject matter for a short film. However, when the film manages to still tell its story in a completely new fashion, it deserves all the brownie points. It is further a comment on the deep infestation of technology, smartphones and social media in every aspect of our lives. 
 While the previous generation, or as the internet would call them, "boomers", fail to understand the charm of these modern values, seemingly in direct contrast with the sanskaar that is expected of a young woman preparing to get married, the millennials have decided to sink their heels deep into the ground, refusing to budge. With its lovely colour palettes, calm storytelling and honesty in building the narrative, the film is the warm fuzzies you need this Valentine's Week.

Kaande Pohe | Short Film of the Day

Two strangers meet in a shared cab at 3 am in Bombay - one a writer with an advertising firm, the other an investment banker. One of them has had a very long day at work, the other has an anecdote to share about a beef curry he had two days ago. It's easy to see how the two are in completely different mental spaces, yet there's a common thread, one that often connects strangers in a big city. It could be the mad rush of it that forces them to find solace in brief encounters or moments, or it could be a divine, otherworldly connection. Detour, with its narrative most effortlessly handled by director and writer Sumi Mathai, and the convincing chemistry of Sayani Gupta and Vikrant Massey, explores these dynamics and leaves it up to the viewer to decide which is what.

Detour | Short Film of the Day

Bunny opens with a couple in the middle of nowhere, preparing to gulp down a bottle of sleeping pills. What follows thereafter is an unpredictable sequence of the most unfortunate events. The short film is funny, thrilling, well-written, and most importantly, wonderfully executed. It's beauty lies in its tightness and ability to hold a powerful narrative in the most effortless manner. Convincing performances with an even better chemistry between its two protagonists make it an enriching viewing experience.

Bunny | Short Film of the Day

The music video is a visual treat of about two thousand hand-drawn sketches that are weaved together with the most seamless editing. The story of the song is of love, loss and the inexorable passage of time. The video, though not unique in its thought, is very skilled and sophisticated in its treatment and execution. Artful and poignant, it is further supplemented by melodious vocals that will stay with you long after you're done listening to them. All the elements together simply go ahead to emphasise that plain lines drawn against a blank canvas in a monochrome palette is sometimes all that's required to make an impactful piece of art.

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