Ahaan is struggling to find his footing in life. His relationship with his parents is in a terrible fix. Jiya, his girlfriend, and he never seem to agree on anything. He is grappling with his grades, along with the imminent rejection of his dream to get selected for the college cricket team. 

Overwhelmed with the burden of all of these failures, denied desires, and thwarted hopes, Ahaan finds himself spending more and more time at a rocky spot on the beach. One day, his path crosses with an unexpected stranger, an ethereal figure in a flowy dress who seems to know all about his life. She offers him a magical Rubik’s cube which can fulfill all of Ahaan’s desires as long as it is solved every morning before seven a.m.. 

The first half of the film deals with the wish-fulfillment aspect of this magical tryst with fate. The performances, writing, and screenplay play a pivotal role in engaging meaningfully with the events unfolding before you. Soon the consequences of this life of ‘perfection’ begin to catch up with the protagonist, pronouncing the philosophical underpinnings of the plot. 

The trajectory of the events is achieved with care. Even though marked by a slight looseness of shots at a few instances in the narrative, the final result exhibits potential and efficiency in the utilization of its resources. All of these components eventually come together to present a comprehensive, completed end result to the viewer.

Unsolved | Short Film Nominee

Dreams, hopes, and sometimes the failures they lead one to, are inevitable parts of everyone's life, and the film engages with this proposition. Further, there is a reminder of how deeply failure can hit when you are constantly reminded of it by those around you, despite all your best efforts to overcome it. It is on these emotions that the narrative pivots, introducing the viewer to John, an aspiring actor who is working hard on getting an opportunity to act. As the story develops, it further brings in elements of the supernatural, magic and fantasy. When life offers the protagonist an easy route to make his dreams come true, what will he choose? There is also a portrayal of the manner in which he deals with his success and failure, especially when those who once rebuffed him, appear in his life again. The one sentiment that remains pervasive throughout the film is of warmth that emanates from, as well as reminds you, to never give up. This is further tied with a sense of morality that enable the protagonist to be a better person, also allowing the film an organic, fitting conclusion.

Njan Kanda Kanavu | Short Film Nominee

The film introduces us to a lonely man undertaking not only a physical journey in the form of a train ride, but also an emotional one. In the latter one, when he finds himself at the end of the road, he is met with an unusual companion. It is precisely this strange man who changes the course of the rest of the path undertaken by the protagonist. In the process, there is the attempt to invoke ideas of faith, hope, and reaching out and finding strength and comfort in loved ones. 

Shot on an iPhone and within limited space and time, 'Magic' offers a sincere, dedicated endeavor in portraying all of these aspects of the story.

Magic | Short Film Nominee

An echo of Adrian León's 'The Box' which rings a little too loudly and clearly, the film bases itself on an uncannily similar premise. A young man wakes up in the afternoon, makes a quick cup of tea and sits down with a snack to make himself available for a soulless job. However, little does he realise that the most unexpected developments await him as the day progresses. He stumbles across a box, as the title itself suggests, that becomes the harbinger of the most unusual events. The film weaves an engaging narrative despite its limited resources and a single-member-cast and crew. As one uncanny progression follows another, what would eventually be the outcome of the protagonist's relationship with this little chest of red velvet?

The Case | Short Film Nominee

The story is intriguing, interesting and keeps the viewer on their toes throughout. The entire narrative is essentially a conversation between two women, both on either side of a window. As it progresses, it reveals magic, trickery and a violent culmination of the plot. Would you be prepared for it when it finally arrives?

Jindaan | Lockdown Film Challenge

The video tells the story of three characters - Vyom, Ruhi, Ira, and the many ways in which their lives are entwined with one another. ‘Jaadu’ wants to share their adventure that involves magic, fantasy, betrayals, to name a few aspects. The end result exhibits rough edges and wrinkles, but also the desire to share the intentions of the team with the audience.

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