Hello, nostalgia! Do you remember your first train ride? Allow this ad film to refresh your memory. As the beautiful, poetic narrative chugs along, remember to keep your favourite Tinkle, how about a slice of a guava sprinkled with salt? Make sure to watch your step as you move from one compartment to another. 'My First Train Ride' will leave you feeling fuzzy with all of these little moments, delicately included in its folds. You're not alone if you find yourself with a teary twinkle in your eye by the end of it all, as you lose yourself to the memory of a hot, summer breeze blowing against your face during your first train journey.

My First Train Ride | Short Film of the Day

The narrative is an exploration of a single afternoon when the protagonist finds himself in his childhood home. While the film opens with his rejecting his parents' idea of nostalgia, soon we find him giving in to the same sentiment as he stumbles across a seemingly inane object from his past. Thereafter begins a conversation with Chintu, a stuffed monkey who was left behind all those years ago. Essentially, what the toy does is take the protagonist into the deep recesses of his emotions. This inevitably raises questions about happiness, satisfaction and where he is located in life. The film thus becomes an endearing story of an unexpected realisation during a quiet, calm afternoon when all that our protagonist had set out to do was complete a chore for his parents.

Chintu | Annup Soni | Short Film of the Day

The film gives the impression of being set in a different, slower, solemn time. Accordingly, there
is no talk in it. It is only after seven minutes that the first exchange takes place. Until then,
a person or a voice only speaks to be heard, not to be spoken to. The film is then, a work that wants to be
watched, followed and accompanied. 
A man is looking for a house. He is carrying a yellow-coloured letter (holudh cheethi) with him. There’s money he wishes to give
to the housemate. 
A subtle conundrum looms in the story which the narrative is in no hurry to solve or simplify. It is only towards
the very end that the mist begins to clear.

Holudh Cheethi | Short Film of the Day

The entirety of the story is the protagonist, Shini’s monologue, as she reflects on the idea of memory and the passage of time. Central to the narrative is a camera, which comes to play an important role in all of this. 
As Shini watches other people disregard her presence, until she eventually forces them together within the same frame, a memory is frozen in time. In the process, the film further becomes a rumination on an important contrast between the past and the present, a contrast that pertains not simply to the protagonist, but also, and very visibly so, to her surroundings. The same is achieved with visuals that show skill, and a screenplay that supports it in the same manner.

Click | Spotlight

The film aims to weave a narrative that includes memory and nostalgia for a past which is now lost. It moves back and forth, and introduces the viewer to its two characters employing a non-linear narrative. All of these emotions come to pivot around a cafe, once a harbour of love stories and stolen glances. However, does it stand for the same experiences and values today? The story engages with the reality of a rapidly changing city. The intention seems to suggest that perhaps an intrinsic cultural ethos is being lost in the breakneck development that is determined to change several integral aspects of any city, Mumbai in this particular case. At its conclusion, it leaves the viewer with an important question- is there a possibility for the characters involved to cherish and protect a part of this past, no matter its size, at their personal level with their actions irrespective of how small they are?

New Bombay Cafe | Short Film Nominee

The music video is a union of nostalgia, friendship and a visit to a place from the past that was once called home. After leaving it behind many years ago, a young man returns to reminisce about his childhood. He is not simply returning to a physical location, but also a space that he shared with his childhood best friend. 

In adulthood, as he goes around visiting each of those old haunts, a quiet companion is by his side. Smooth vocals endeavor to supplement the reality unfolding before us with sentiment, and in the process, the music video is presented to the viewer.

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