Trigger warning: The purpose of art is to reflect all that is wrong with society, to trigger thoughts that lead to reformative action. Agli Baar succeeds in doing precisely that - holding up the mirror to a very ugly reality of the world we live in. Not for the emotionally fragile, the short film is for an audience which is willing to swallow the bitter truths of a society divided on the lines of religion, class and a mindlessly rigid sense of community. It further invokes the idea that while we may choose to ignore them and be mute spectators to the wrongs being done around us, we are not immune to the agents of evil which may target us next.

Agli Baar | Short Film of the Day

If you watch one video today, let it be that of this wonderful rendition of the Justice League soundtrack by Tushar Lall and a team of incredibly talented musicians from The Indian Jam Project. The music video is a heartwarming take on popular culture and how it manages to pervade all sections of the Indian society. However, behind the beauty of music and a bunch of lovely children finding their superheroes within themselves, is a dark and unfortunate reality which this video successfuly manages to address with sophisticated cinematography and a skiled Indo-fusion soundtrack.

Justice League Tribute | Short Film of the Day

Dharavi happens to be one of the most densely populated areas in the world with a population of over a hundred thousand residing within an area of only about two square kilometres. Consequently, it also becomes a harbour of endless stories and narratives, a glimpse of which is presented forth by the beautifully crafted visuals of the documentary film. Azaan from a nearby mosque echoes in the surroundings, and the entire scene bursts into activity, taking the viewer from one profession to another that forms the backbone of this community and keeps it up and running on its feet. The visuals are tied together with a background score which, albeit soft, is complete with verve and zest, adding another layer to the film. As animal hide turns into several products for retail while, at the same time, heaps of trash find shelter in a local water body, the film becomes a montage of the various aspects of life within Dharavi. The film, a single member cast and crew effort, is commendable in its pure skill. However, it does come across as marked by the lack of a cohesive narrative. Maybe the filmmaker intends it to be a story of survival itself, yet the presence of a plot-line, even only in the form of a few voices of those who constitute this community, would have truly elevated the final product.

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