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

The film is essentially a social commentary on a less talked about, but more than equally compelling issue. The manner of its approach, however, aims more at involving the viewer in the plight of the protagonist. This, in turn, enables it to tell an impactful story. 

The film is about a man who finds it increasingly difficult to hold on to a job, and therefore, he fails at bringing home a stable income. This leads to the breakdown of his marriage, as well as lack of proper resources required for raising his younger brother who lives with disability. The origin as well as the catalyst in all his problems remains drug abuse, further echoing the metaphor offered in the title, portraying how a human's existence is reduced to that of a stray animal. 

The narrative that is weaved is quiet, sharing all its intentions in a soft, sustained manner. The rough edges are few, and despite them, the film steers clear of sentimentalism, and eventually manages to present an engaging story to the viewer.

Stray Dogs | Short Film Nominee

One of the biggest tragedies of life remain the idea of what could have been, but wasn't because of obstacles strewn in your path. The short film is the exploration of the same thought, portraying how familial responsibilities and duties often alter the course of one's life in an undesirable and lasting manner. It scores the highest in the way in which it withholds information from you, revealing it gradually, ensuring that you remain curious about the characters till the very end. As two characters sit discussing an imminent development, you are made aware that it is indeed something unpleasant. Soon a third character enters the scene, making you wonder where truly is the narrative headed. While you try to figure out the answers to all of these questions, the story reaches completion, having made all its intentions clear, and leaving you with the message about the missed opportunities in life often as a result of compulsions and things that are expected of you.

Kaash | Short Film Nominee

Even in the darkest of times, when we find ourselves plummeted in depths of turmoil, the indomitable human spirit finds a way to thrive. Without using any dialogue, the short film communicates the same. It takes us into the reality of a world where the pandemic has disrupted our way of life, becoming a source of all kinds of misery and inconveniences. While family members find themselves away from each other, owing to social distancing or quarantine, our responsibility to follow all health guidelines still remains of absolute importance, emphasises the film. It also leaves the viewer with a sweet message of hope finding its way in the face of all adversity.

Janiv | 2020 Film Challenge

A heartfelt rendition of poetry, the film is an expression of love and gratitude towards one's mother. It invokes the reality of a pandemic-stricken world where everyone rushed home in the wake of the lockdown. It is then in this scenario that the protagonist is struck with the realisation of the many sacrifices and the compromises a mother makes for her children and family. Using a voiceover against corresponding scenes and situations, the film shares all of these emotions and intentions. However, it could have benefited from a little more control on its visuals.

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