The film locates itself in a pandemic-stricken world where a woman struggles to ensure her daughter does not miss her online classes. A smartphone is absolutely imperative for these classes, but Shalini’s young daughter, Aami accidentally broke theirs. 

Now Shalini struggles between jobs, even at the cost of her own well-being, to ensure that she somehow puts enough money together for a new phone. In the process, not only does the narrative draw a very clear boundary between the haves and the have-nots, but it does so without letting itself get consumed by sentimentalism. Inherent to the narrative is also the idea of the many sadnesses that many of us carry within. 

If for someone it is the struggle to make ends meet, for another it is being stuck in an oppressive job where you can only nod and suffer in silence at the hands of a cruel boss, and for yet another, it is the longing and memory of a lost loved one. Aami, the little daughter, too notices the sacrifices her mother makes while putting on a brave face all along, and it is primarily this courage and perseverance of character that the film preoccupies itself with, in a sincere, devoted manner.

Shalini | Short Film Nominee

Made as a montage of glossy visuals, the short film endeavours to draw the viewer's attention to a more disturbing reality. The coronavirus pandemic has ensured that people get confined to their homes globally, and the film is a portrayal of the same. It opens on a fairly harmless note, but progresses faster than the viewer has expected so far. The film does not give in to sentimentalism or loud visuals to convey its message. Instead, it manages to invoke the right amount of discomfort, strong enough to spur the viewer into action, by an image, for instance, as simple as perfectly delicious looking food being pushed into a dustbin without a second thought. Aimed at reminding the viewer of being aware of their privilege, the film does its bit to highlight the plight of the less fortunate in a world currently struggling to get back on its feet.

Privileged Lockdown | Short Film Nominee

Though the Covid-19 pandemic ushered in havoc of devastating degrees, not all parts of society were affected by it in equal proportions. The short film does a notable job of portraying the same reality, without weighing itself down with sentimentalism. There is employment of a fast-paced, smooth edit, coupled with a complementary choice of visuals that enable it to convey this message lucidly. 
The title has made clear the reality of the protagonist who busies himself cooking elaborate delicacies as soon as the lockdown hits, followed by ordering in equally fancy and expensive food. However, even for him, fortunes take a toss and he is left without a job, and thus, enough money to order the food he used to earlier. Barely making it through on basic essentials, he does find the raft that allows him to finally float to the safety of a harbor in this storm, allowing the narrative to eventually come full circle.

Privileged | Short Film Nominee

The film introduces the viewer to a powerful protagonist in the form of an aspiring rap artist. Keeping him unnamed throughout as a deliberate decision, the narratorial progression offers an intimate, long glimpse into his life. It is marked by financial tribulations which robbed the young performer of the privilege of truly pursuing his art, and yet, the twinkle in his eye and the cheer of his smiles are unmissable and insurmountable even in the face of all difficulty. 

The film, due to its raw edges in the department of sound and the inconsistency of visuals, attains an informality, but the voice of its beautifully impactful protagonist remains undiminished amidst it all.

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