The film presents a story of harassment and stalking, but does so with uniqueness in storytelling. The freshness in its approach ensures that the viewer is glued to the narrative right till the very end, as the protagonist, Megh, takes them deeper and deeper into his world. 

Megh is a writer who, one night, stumbles upon a strange man with a strange query. The film moves back and forth in time as Megh recounts his ordeal to three other characters, each with their own approach to the encounters he describes. 

The film’s biggest strength is what it achieves at the level of thought. It presents a fluidity of roles, and that they can be quite different for the same person depending on the context they are placed in. The story further presents the internal journey that the protagonist goes on as a result of this harrowing experience, and what all of it entails for his identity as a writer. 

The title is explored and engaged with, alongside the life of a city which can sometimes be as forgiving as Mumbai. There is an interaction with the ideas of justice as well. Though there is a slight lack of seamlessness when it comes to the film’s sound department, it is easy to overlook it in the face of the performances, writing, and narratorial progression that the film offers. The ideas thus presented are seeds of thoughts that should definitely be allowed to grow in more projects.

Out of Context | Short Film of the Month

If #NotAllMen were a short film, it would be this. It is disconcertingly problematic on several levels. Firstly, the intentions of the film leave the viewer quite confused at the end of it all. Is it trying to tell women to speak out against stalking? Is it telling them that they are being paranoid about men? What exactly is going on? Secondly, the film is a notably superficial, male-centric view of a very, very significant problem that primarily afflicts women. While there is nothing that stands out in terms of direction, camerawork and the manner the narrative is weaved, Shweta Basu Prasad delivers a strong performance. However, her skills are wasted on a film like Chubhan which completely misses the point about stalking, abuse and being a woman in a sexist, entitled and patriarchal society.

Chubhan | Short Film Nominee

The narrative does a notable job of sustaining an elemental suspense at every step. The story is of a single night when a woman is trying to get home to her daughter. The lateness of the hour ensures that her fear for her safety remains all-pervasive. In the process, the film thus brings to life the reality of any average woman who constantly looks over her shoulder to see whether or not she is being followed. However, our protagonist has learnt to not cower down, and instead fight back even in the face of overpowering fear, and it is perhaps the same values that would be passed on to her daughter. Additionally, there is a suggestion of help being available in the form of concerned men as well in a world which is rife with crooks and ruffians of all kinds. Tying all of these components together as a complete whole allows the film to present itself to you in the form of the final product.

Just Another Day | Short Film Nominee

Every morning, when a woman steps out of her house, a man follows her closely. Evidently very well aware of her daily routes, he takes the same path, always keeping her in sight from a distance. 

The comment that thus rises is about stalking and women’s safety in public spaces. There is further a glimpse into the man’s life and his fixation with this woman, showing how he obsessively keeps a record of her photographs without her consent. Though it could have gained from a closer analysis of the premise at hand, the film is well-intentioned and wants to subvert expectations.

Beauty and the Beast | Short Film Nominee

The short film is definitely well-intentioned and aims to raise awareness about the atrocious crimes against women that are committed across India. Invoking the memory of the 2012 infamous gang rape in Delhi, the film further tries to make the viewer sit up and pay attention. It's story is direct and simple as it takes the viewer into the mind of a concerned husband. It sets up the narrative in a certain way that surprises the viewer when the truth is finally revealed. In a nation where physical and sexual assault of women continues on a regular basis, The Modern Fear wants to do its bit to start and further a conversation.

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