On a seemingly regular afternoon, a man exploits a hapless chaat-seller along a roadside, as two school-girls discuss a recent accident that had taken place near-by. While the former exchange can still fall within the boundaries of a mundane encounter, defined by stinginess and helplessness, the mention of the accident hints at something darker unfolding simultaneously. 

The film’s world-building thereafter remains gradual, marked by an eeriness that is aided greatly by a careful choice of the background score, as well as a crucial, strong performance by Akhilendra Mishra. 

With the progression of the story, the protagonist continues to stumble across crisp notes of twenty rupees as he continues on his path. Unable to look away, he finds them in a murky pool of water or in obscure spots high up in the air. Despite frantic calls from his impatient daughter, he still refuses to focus on the path, until he reaches a point from where there is no turning back. The journey thus mapped out by the narrative is engaging, involving, and at last, deeply shocking.

Bārāt | Short Film of the Month

‘Nadigar Pandi’ is a film that is sure to stay with you for a long time. It is honest and hard-hitting. The poignancy it brings to life on screen is effortless, and succeeds in creating an impactful effect on the audience. 

The eponymous protagonist is a struggling actor who has been trying his luck, and skill in the field for over three decades, as he is quick to remind and repeat throughout the course of the narrative. There is a suggestion of bitterness and resentment, but there is also integrity and self-respect. Despite all the obstacles, which include severe monetary tribulation and the ensuing practical problems, there is no regret or self-doubt about his decision to be an actor. 

The film does a seamless, elegant job of tying all of these emotions together, as well as presenting a protagonist that is powerful and unforgettable. The viewer remains engaged all along in the fate of Nadigar Pandi, who we meet on a very crucial day of his life, and cannot help, but find themselves deeply invested in what eventually follows.

Nadigar Pandi | Short Film Nominee

The style and the atmosphere conjured by the film is sleek and involving, keeping you engrossed till the very end. Unexpected and hilarious developments await at every corner, giving rise to an entertaining product you would enjoy throughout. The film's main character is not any of those you see on screen, but it's protagonist instead becomes the mindless fixation with money and the haphazard schemes it can lead one to. When an unsuspecting man finds himself at the heart of the seedy networks money often floats within, interesting developments are in tow, as the film goes ahead to prove. 

While all characters try to satiate their greed, each trying to get the better of the other, and adding to the chaos in the process, the narrative is weaved in a seamless manner. The primary performer who brings the story to life, an overworked employee stuck at his workplace late into the night, adds verve and energy to the story, making it all the more enjoyable, and ensuring that the film succeeds at conveying everything that it intends to. 

With writing as its strongest aspect, the narrative drops little details all along to enhance itself. Though the final product is marked by a few rough edges, one is willing to overlook, and even round them off in the face of the punches the film throws at the expense of its characters, all of whom remain sincerely portrayed.

Golden Kash | Short Film of the Day

An unsuspecting auto driver in a corner of Mumbai one day stumbles across a bag containing an exorbitant amount of money and valuables. One phone call to his wife, Arti, reveals from her accent that she belongs to a vastly different part of the country, Uttar Pradesh. As the two squabble over individual differences, and mull over different options to use the money to their advantage, the many investments and businesses that can be bolstered by it, or whether to return it, a parallel story is developing. 


We are then presented with a pair of corrupt, but harmless, cops, along with the same nexus of UP and Maharashtra in their origins. The two continue to indulge in playful squabbling, and soon find their path overlapping with the perplexed couple who, unbeknownst to them, struggles to make up their mind about the bag. 

The film weaves an entertaining, humorous narrative, held together by its performances, writing and narratorial progression. At the heart of it lies an endearing, uplifting message about the kindness and generosity of human nature, which allows the end result to be a perfect watch on a rainy day, or any time when you simply need your belief restored in humanity.

Don’t Touch Me | Short Film of the Day

Nayan is a meek, reticent bank employee who is chasing a loan defaulter for months now. However, his inability to demand the money forcefully, and instead forever being cowed down by the defaulter, Vivek Gamit, has left his boss extremely disgruntled. With only three days to get the money back, and save his job, he is left in a desperate corner with nowhere to turn. 

Nayan’s domestic life too reflects the same reticence, as he goes along with everything his wife says or suggests. The film offers a wonderful character trajectory from its beginning to end in terms of the protagonist. In fact, it is this moment of breaking out of the quiet that forms the disconcerting crux of the plot. 

The entirety of it is handled gingerly and meticulously, bolstered by a convincing performance of the protagonist. The writing forms a prominent strength as well, ensuring that the film remains engaging and balanced throughout.

Recovery | Short Film Nominee

Crime, love gone sour, mythology, and a battle between demons and gods, all form integral parts of this carefully woven film. The narrative, though mainly confined to a single night and the seediness of its shadows, moves back and forth in time to construct the story of primarily three characters - a police officer, a disgruntled lover, and a man who is overwhelmed with financial tribulations. 

Adding to the intrigue is a fourth character, a woman, Mhalsa, who will come to alter the course of the narrative in an irrevocable, lasting manner. She enters the plot at a crucial juncture with a past that connects her to more than one man, a topic of intense discussion by all the men who surround her. 

The cop regales a nervous waiter with a mythological story that will present the most crucial metaphors of the film, ideas of right and wrong, and how more often than not they get reduced to a grey realm of blurred boundaries. A little distance away from him two friends await their third companion who arrives with a disturbing tale of his own. The two parties remain completely oblivious to the third where the man shares his woes with a confidant. 

Notwithstanding a few rough edges in terms of production, particularly in the department of sound, there is a smoothness with which all of these elements are eventually connected. The duration of the film allows it to spend enough time on each subset of the plot without losing pace. The writing becomes a notable aspect of the film, followed by the edit and performances, all of which together give rise to an engaging end result that displays sincerity and investment of thought.

Neelakanta Bar | Short Film Nominee

Bhasad is a laugh riot! From start to finish the film keeps getting better. Comedy is the most difficult
genre to attempt and deliver, and Bhasad surprises you with the ease with which it achieves that goal. 
The film is a situational comedy, with an element of the buddy film, and a pinch of suspense; all of
which make for a cackling combination, while also revealing Vanshika Sharma as a filmmaker to definitely watch
out for! 
The best part of the narrative is that it doesn’t take itself seriously in its tone or the projection it throws on
the viewer. So, the film may seem a bit raw or rough around the edges, but don’t let that fool
you. In fact, a comedy is meant to do just that, come across silly. But the devil is in the detail. It is a film
of not too many words, but each joke lands!

Bhasad | Short Film of the Day

The film brings to life a heist narrative, conjuring elements of surprise, stress, betrayal, and each character trying to outsmart the other. The question that thus becomes central to the story is - who will succeed at this game of deceit and self-serving interests? 

Utkarsh has found himself in a sticky soup, and he now struggles to retrieve a whopping sum of ten crore rupees from a powerful rival. He ropes in the help of his brother-in-law and friend Mahesh to somehow secure the money. Employing a theft of diamonds from a museum, the two come up with a foolproof plan to get their nemesis to pay up.


Throughout the story, the woman common to both men as wife and sister, respectively, Payal, remains a meek presence who offers her help only from the margins. The film portrays all of these characters and their many actions with ease, alongside keeping the viewer engaged in what unfolds next, eventually concluding with a shocking development of events that ties it all together into a single unit.

Most Viewed

Genres

Awards

Follow Us

Quick Links