Trigger warning: Sexual assault, abuse, self-harm 

The film presents a hard-hitting story of sexual assault and abuse, but one which also engages with tenderness and affection, and the deep yearnings of the human heart. An exploited and deeply troubled sex worker one day finds herself located between two men, Birju, and an unusual patron called Sajjad. As the story progresses, Sajjad turns out to be far from a patron, and instead is a poet whose poetry becomes an adornment for the protagonist in an otherwise sordid, squalid, and hapless world. Around his words, she weaves dreams of a life away from her current reality. The film develops and handles its plot with maturity and skill. The performances become an unmissable force, one of the strongest aspects of the end result. A few rough edges appear when it comes to the seamlessness of the sound, but the musical choices, on the contrary, add a real flourish to the screenplay, and the developing action before the viewer. The entire cast and crew exhibit immense potential, and the film leaves the door open for more storytelling endeavors in the same vein.

Dobaara | Spotlight

A man who runs a small flour mill finds himself at a strange crossroads when technology threatens to make him obsolete. As we follow the protagonist through his day, and customers come and go, it is a sack of mass-produced, machine-ground wheat that becomes the antagonist of the story. 

The film does an expert job of portraying this dynamic between a man who religiously follows his vocation and a swiftly changing world where people become increasingly impatient. The screenplay is constructed with attention to detail, mapping and sustaining the entire developing story with control. The narrative allows no dialogue to the protagonist, and yet, shares a skilled portrayal and communication of an entire array of emotions. 

The end result does not bog itself down with a technology-versus-tradition conflict, and instead only presents a moment with earnestness. The entire cast and crew exhibit seamlessness in bringing it to life, making the authenticity of this said moment its most notable triumph.

Chakkiwala | Spotlight

A story of two brothers, and a woman located within this dynamic, the film is an engagement with separation, and how far someone can go in the pursuit of closure. 

When the iridescent Renu returns to meet the brothers, Yuvi and Avi, after five years, she comes with an invitation to her wedding. Thus develops a conversation on past hurt, the compulsions that lead people to make choices they never wanted to make, and the ensuing heartache that gets left behind in their wake. Renu, notably performed and portrayed, may have made mistakes in the past, but now she wishes to amend them, or at least explain the reasons that led to her actions all these years ago. 

The storytelling is taut with tension and something darker that simmers under the surface. The screenplay and editing are constructed with the same control and skill, and keep the viewer hooked right till the very end, when an unexpected development subverts all expectations.

At Last We Said Goodbye | Spotlight

It’s been the end of a long day for a man who works at the crematorium. The narrative soon progresses to reveal how each day at this job is indeed a long one, owing to the very nature of what he does. 


As the protagonist sits down to unwind with a drink and finish the last formalities of the day, he is joined by 50-year-old Haridas, the man he cremated earlier, and thus develops an exchange from the realm of a fantasy-drama. 

The conversations conjure philosophical and existential themes as the two characters discuss their personal tragedies and afflictions. The plot shares all of this without burdening the narrative as the exchange remains seamless and forward-moving. Notwithstanding a little rawness, the end result is an efficient utilisation of the actors and the screenplay, and establishes an unmissable tonality and vision which evidences potential and paves the path for future explorations.

Chitragupta of the Crematorium | Spotlight

Karthik is on his way to his sister’s wedding when his car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Stretched for time and with no help available nearby, he finds himself making his way to what appears to be an empty temple. Here, his path crosses with a priest. 
The ensuing conversations between the two give the viewer a longer glimpse into Karthik’s character. He is ambitious, self-driven, even offhanded sometimes, and his world remains defined by material pleasures. The two characters thus present a binary between the realms of materialism and its emptiness, and a spiritual existence marked by fewer wants and harmony with nature. 
Though the story remains confined to one night, the brevity of the plot serves to drive the message home deeper. This, in turn, leads not only the protagonist but also the viewer to a moment of reflection, further drawing attention to how wandering away from a usual, well-trodden path sometimes can lead to something far more than one's expectations.

Paywat | Spotlight

As Chitaangya toils away in a field after having been forced to drop out of school by his father, Pashya makes his way to him in a rush. Pashya has very important news for his friend. Chitaangya’s love interest has left the village and moved to the city. Before he dismisses the news, Pashya also informs him that she has left a letter for him. 

What follows next is an endearing and amusing story of procuring a mobile phone, evading parental authority, and somehow still managing to follow a strict father’s orders, all in pursuit of love. All of this is marked by a strong portrayal and performance of the protagonist. However, right before its conclusion, a crucial development totally reverses the tonality, as well as the fate of the protagonist. The storytelling evidences thoughtfulness and attention to emotion. The same approach would be enhanced further if a longer project were attempted in the same vein.

Virah | Spotlight

A man dotes on his partner, and his feelings are returned in equal measure. As the two of them step out for a weekend visit to the local market, a story of a relationship clearly marked by devotion and happiness is presented to the viewer. He may have ensured that his mother does not speak to her, but this moment is not one of tension weighing down upon their outing. They move from one shop to another, truly enjoying each other's company, when a strange development throws the protagonist fully off balance. 

In the ensuing progression of events, things are made more clear to the viewer, even if not to the man himself. The most notable aspect of the film is the performance and the chemistry of its actors, which ensures that the viewer remains interested in their fate till the conclusion. As for the story itself, a disturbing revelation awaits within it, but one which never reaches the protagonist.

Maya | Spotlight

‘Shrey’ takes the viewer into a tense moment right after the story opens. Even before any action unfolds, the background score ensures that the viewer is never at ease, making it one of the most notable aspects of the film. 

The film progresses to introduce us to Tamas and Prabhas. While both consider themselves aspiring authors, there is a clear power dynamic that exists between the two, irrespective of the many shared cups of tea and cigarettes. The younger Tamas presents a protege/assistant relationship with the older, more experienced Prabhas, a relationship that has been in existence for the last two years. Surrounding this are a myriad more elements all fraught with different kinds of anxieties - a failed marriage, a father’s passing, familial conflict, a mountain of lies, and most importantly, the desperation and unwavering dream to become a published writer. 

The narrative does a skilled job of exploring all of this, and some more. The performances and the shared chemistry between the two actors ensure that the numerous complexities are allowed a fitting portrayal. Though a few limitations of resources appear in terms of the visuals, the storytelling triumphs over them.

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