Chirag lives in a strange world with a stranger profession. His job involves delivering messages to people, on behalf of their family members and loved ones, sometimes in the respective patron’s voice, and sometimes even in person. The film offers a seamlessly remarkable endeavor in presenting this reality to the viewer. 

Amidst it all is Chirag’s relationship with Sneha, on the verge of collapse primarily as a result of his inability, ironically, to communicate or express himself. His dying relationship is simply symptomatic of society at large, one where the absolute breakdown of communication has left an endless vacuum very swiftly being filled by technology. In our own world where using AI tools to structure our messages and emails, sometimes even personal, intimate conversations, is ubiquitous and commonplace, is the film’s reality truly far-fetched? 

Chirag's mental and emotional unraveling is mapped alongside these developments, questions, and their inherent answers. A voice and tonality that is fresh and unique, coupled with strong performances, and a diegetic score together constitute the expert film.

Grey | Short Film of the Month

‘Chimta’ loves to lead your expectations in a specific direction regarding the mood and intentions of the story, only to deliberately foil them. Consequently, it forms a bond with the viewer right at the onset which ensures that they stay with it, and its endearing protagonist, Chimta, till the very end. 

In a pandemic-stricken world, Chimta, a twelve-year-old-boy who simply wishes to do his homework, goes on a little adventure seeking virality, and perhaps, an eventual television appearance with his trusted companion, Aashiq. While maintaining a lighthearted tone, marked by the humor generated at the expense of all the characters that find themselves at the unwitting mercy of two little boys determined to take on the world, the film also presents a subtle, but unmissable suggestion of darkness. 

Alcoholism, abuse, dire financial straits - the narrative invokes them all, and yet, never allows itself to be bogged down by any of them. Even though the writing seems to lose some of its tautness as the plot nears conclusion, the storytelling remains original and notable, becoming a standout characteristic of the film.

Chimta | Short Film Nominee

'Bagulbua' (Bugbear) is defined by a space inhabited solely by two - a mother and her little son. However, soon the viewer realizes that another unwanted guest has ensconced itself within this realm of domesticity - an overwhelming fear of shadows and all that lurks within them. 


The narrative is a lovely exploration of this world of horrors for the child, one which holds little substance for adults. And yet, the plot is well-equipped with the required thrill and eeriness. 

A little slice of life, a little darkness - the two are coupled together for the narratorial progression. The space remains marked by notable storytelling throughout, offering an interesting, engaging plot to the viewer, along with an efficient use of resources and performances.

Bagulbua | Short Film of the Month

The film opens with a moment of distress, a reality marked by ugliness, a morning that has everything going wrong with it, and yet, amidst it all, there is the possibility of an instance of ease that is achieved with a stranger. It is this thought which forms the premise of Sync. The narrative introduces us to a woman grieving her father's loss, and in some ways, also holding herself responsible for his death. Alongside this is the story of a man who is battling a major setback in love. As both characters deal with their own respective heartache, the plot seems to be moving towards an overlap of their stories - are they linked in anyway to each other? Are they adding to each other's turmoil? The viewer finds themselves looking for the answers with these questions, about to be met with them in due time, as the film comes into its own organically. It is further marked by lovely camerawork, strengthened by seamless transitions. The edit complements them wonderfully, the vocals and music are thoughtful and consistent with the mood of the story. All of them together help in conjuring a beautiful tonality and feel of the film, providing adequate closure to all your questions at its conclusion.

Synced | Short Film of the Day

The film is a slice of life from the love story of two people who fall in love quickly and wholeheartedly. The narrative spends time and effort in constructing its world for the viewer, complete with the visual grammar and the overall ambiance of the realm the characters inhabit. From quiet moments of companionship to playful exchanges of affection and intimacy, the narrative invokes them all. The film endeavors a deliberate sense of otherworldliness, a space that is conjured around the metaphysical aspects of a bond, more than the corporeal. The most notable pronunciation of the same is in the visuals, color palette, and background score. 

Additionally, there is a marked ease between the two actors, along with a sincerity of performance. The moment the story explores is not only of union, but also of parting, and goodbyes. The message that the conclusion eventually echoes is that it is the depth of a meeting and shared love, and not its duration, that truly defines it.

Summer Afternoon | Short Film of the Day

A young boy, Munna wants to desperately buy a balloon, but gets rejected by his mother every time he
asks for one. Finally, Munna decides if his mother won't buy it for him, he would get it himself. To collect enough money for the same, he starts working as a daily wage labourer in a field. What could
potentially take a turn as a dismal comment on poverty, inequality or child labour, becomes a rather
amusing scenario because Munna only works for five days, makes the money he needs for the
balloon and royally announces his resignation to his boss. 
The boy playing Munna is adorable, and the delightful music and colour in the film make it a joyride. It is
also a sweet tale of a mother and her child, along with being a film that would bring a smile to your face.

Chahat Ke Gubbare | Short Film of the Day

Seema and Ashwin, a couple whose marriage is defined by love and affection, are battling an insurmountable foe - a terminal illness. Ashwin, an oncologist himself, has been diagnosed with a kind of cancer that has made all treatment redundant, and an end to his young life imminent. 

While portraying all of this, the film talks of the quiet acceptance of fate, the guilt of making others’ life harder, and the grief and agony that comes with it. The transience of life, as long as it allows moments of peace, beauty, and happiness, fleeting as they may be, also gets pronounced in the film. 

Additionally, the writing and storytelling exhibit depth and investment of thought with which they attempt to talk of the grief of not only the carer, Seema, but also of the patient himself. Though the final result does not utilize its actors to their full potential, and loses some marks there, it evidences potential in terms of narrative-building and screenplay.

Castle of Sand | Short Film Nominee

The story is a slice of life drama, roping in the past, shifting perspectives and the manner in which they are all tied together by the passage of time. Using a first person voice, the film takes us into the plot gradually. Gilbert is a little boy in a village who longs to one day be able to sit in a car. However, when the opportunity finally arrives, he misses it by a very narrow window. From that very first missed opportunity to tasting Maggi for the first time to forever seeking that previously unencountered taste, the narrative covers several of these stages. The storytelling is marked by calmness and notable camerawork, the latter being one of the strengths of the film. There is further the attempt to employ small details and memory to eventually present to the viewer an endearing, engrossing story.

Cafe Storyteller | Short Film Nominee

Karthik and Krati’s path crosses in a train, and their instant chemistry leads to a free-flowing conversation. As the journey continues, the exchange traverses several territories of a shared Bollywood love, manifestation of dreams and desires, parallel lives of a soul, death, and the sadness left in its wake. 

With the progressing narrative, however, something else, away from this realm of cheeriness, also seems to be lurking right under the surface. The plot thus smoothly intertwines loss, grief, and the subsequent coping within its folds. 

The storytelling, narrative building and the ease of the performances aid this reality fully. Notwithstanding a few hiccups in the sound department, the subsequent endeavor remains heartfelt, and earnest all along.

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