Earlier this year, of the many internet gems that graced our virtual chats, there was a video of a middle-aged Indian man, a figure (soon to be fondly known as Dabbu uncle within the realm of the internet) we are all too-familiar-with dancing to the Bollywood song Aap Ke Aa Jane Se. Picking up from there, the eponymous short film weaves an endearing and heartwarming narrative about a man, Rammo Babu's life who finds himself at the centre of unexpected attention when a video of him dancing at a wedding goes viral. 
Unable to make much sense of this era of smartphones and WhatsApp forwards, Rammo Babu lives a simple life. He sells sarees with a single-minded devotion to his job, drops his children to school every morning and ensures he always turns up for his family, driving them around sandwiched on a two wheeler. Manu Rishi Chadha as Rammo Babu would completely win you over with the disarming vulnerability he brings to life in the film. The performance is tied with an organic and smooth progression of events within the plot, ensuring that it succeeds at striking all the right chords with the audience. 
Additionally, the film does a notable job of portraying the many nuances and subtle realities of a middle class household where it is only the simple joys that often suffice in making someone’s day. It is precisely in achieving this, among other things, that the film’s true success lies.

Aap Ke Aa Jane Se | Short Film of the Day

In its own unique manner, while also being supplemented with an upbeat, soulful song, the video shares its thought with the viewer. The protagonist, once an avid reader, has left his books and bookshelf forgotten in his past. However, will the new distraction and preoccupation, that has taken him away from reading, be a lasting one? The short film is notable in the efforts of its single-member cast and crew, and offers a narrative which is marked by an elemental quirkiness.

Habits  | Lockdown Film Challenge

The plot of the short film is an interesting take on the myth of Sisyphus and how it applies to contemporary times where a deep infestation of technology has taken over our lives. Using the reference of the Greek king who was punished by the gods to be stuck in an endless cycle of pushing a boulder up a mountain to only have it rolled back at the end of the climb, the film invokes the same sense of cyclicality and entrapment when it comes to our smartphones. While there may exist books and the outdoors, somehow we will always find ourselves metaphorically (or literally, as in the case of the protagonist) chained to our phones. The screenplay further attempts a contrast between light and darkness to convey its idea of what falls where. What, in the end, would be the fate of the modern day Sisyphus?

Sisyphus | Short Film Nominee

When a boy wakes up to find himself tied to a chair with a USB chord, there is little sense of the situation to be made by him or the viewer. Suggestions of social media, online streaming services and other virtual platforms immediately set the expectation - the film, in some way or the other, is going to be about the deeply entrenched roots of technology in our lives. The narrative further develops to reveal that it is indeed an exploration of the same and tries to draw the viewer's attention to our slavish equation with our phones. The addiction to social media and the internet have reached very high levels for humans. The extent of it is further foregrounded by the protagonist's willingness to stay immersed in the virtual world as opposed to stepping outside his room. Consequently, the film raises the question for the viewer - are you as trapped as him or will you choose differently, and perhaps, wisely?

Swipe To Unlock | Short Film Nominee

The poetic narrative of Baat Kar is one of its stronger elements, along with its performance that matches the writing of the lines. The sentiment echoed in the words finds a fitting expression in the only voice that recites them, becoming the sole face on camera that the narrative allows. The film talks of a dysfunctional, toxic emotional equation where the woman finds herself unable to stay away from that object of affection which doesn't seem to be in her best interests. Despite knowing the nature of this one-sided, all-consuming addiction, she is still drawn to the very thing she absolutely must avoid. While the viewer may have been convinced so far that she speaks of a lover, there is indeed an unexpected development awaiting them regarding the truth of the matter.

Baat Kar | Short Film Nominee

The film is a funny story that recounts a boy's, Aniket, relationship with his smartphone as everyone gets confined indoors. From playing video games with his friends to enjoying the music they share with him to discussing the day-to-day with each other, all of it unfolds on the phone. One day, however, in the form of a pleasant surprise, a girl reaches out to him with the intention of friendship. Thus begins the narrative of our protagonist falling in love with Vidisha. As he awaits for the day to finally propose to her, an unusual development lurks right around the corner that will not only communicate the film's core message to the viewer, but also alter Aniket's romantic equation in a lasting manner.

Crisp-Cross | Short Film Nominee

The film gives a glimpse into a day in the life of a regular couple. As they both go about their regular business during the day, the most unanticipated development occurs, leading to serious consequences. However, now that it has occurred, would they be able to find a way out of it?

Trapped | Lockdown Film Challenge

The film first invokes for you a sense of despair and deep unhappiness, but eventually concludes on a note that allows a slight moment of ease and release. A boy is texting a potential love interest. The conversation leads to an arrangement of a call which he awaits, while a sense of unrest threatens to get the better of him. He further desperately attempts to avoid his phone, or at least the little ray of hope its each notification gives him only to dash it to the ground immediately. As he runs from pole to pillar, trying to calm his frayed nerves, what will then be the fate of our distraught protagonist?

The Wait | Lockdown Film Challenge

The film draws attention to the infestation of technology in our lives, deep enough to lead to mental health problems with far-reaching consequences. As the title suggests, it engages with nomophobia, the extreme and irrational fear of being away from your smartphone. The story is of one such young boy who has been diagnosed with it. As he struggles to overcome it, relapsing into a cycle of temporary comfort with worse consequences, the film comes across as a notable attempt to explore its subject. Despite its limited resources, the film becomes a brave attempt to put forth its message.

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