Based on a short story by Ruskin Bond, The Black Cat by Bhargav Saikia portrays an interesting turn of events starting from a day in Bond's life. Played by Tom Alter, Bond comes in possession of a broomstick which is soon accompanied by a black cat turning up at his doorstep. His misadventures with the kitty keep the audience involved, while also invoking a sense of sympathy for the harried writer. Soon after a Ms. Bellows follows, claiming the cat to be hers, and our protagonist is more than grateful to hand over the kitty to his unusual guest. The narrative offers interesting characters in the form of both Alter as Bond and Shernaz Patel as Ms. Bellows. The beautiful camera angles lend an otherworldly quality to the film, equally supported by an eerie soundtrack. Along with Anglican influences in the form of costumes, language and the general lifestyle, The Black Cat also possesses an element of the supernatural, characteristic of much of Bond's writing. This is achieved by elegant special effects which, when coupled with a seamless edit and sophisticated visuals, make the film a thrilling watch.

The Black Cat | Tom Alter | Short Film of the Day

If spookiness gives you chills, this short film starring Nimrat Kaur and Divyendu Sharma, is not for you. It opens with Kaur getting startled by the sudden presence of her husband, played by Sharma. As the narrative progresses, the viewer realises that Sharma is a ghost, unable to let go of his wife even after his death. His struggle with loneliness also leads him to attempt to bump himself off (once again), but predictably, he fails every time. While the ghost follows his wife around, along with a fossilised bird, Elayichi maintains a good balance between eeriness and lightheartedness. Director Devashish Makhija earns a special mention for portraying the presence of a ghost in a woman's life as a tiresome, but mundane reality.

Elayichi | Short Film of the Day

Get ready for a thriller set in the Tulu forest of Karnataka that will keep you at the edge of your seat throughout. Paroksh, which means the invisible, pushes the boundaries of short films with its proper three act structure of setup, confrontation and resolution. The film does a wonderful job of exploring how we fear the unknown, and wins full points for the unpredictability of the plot and the manner in which it unfolds. Based on a true story, the film also has a subtle, but pertinent social message at the end.

Paroksh | Short Film of the Day

The film exhibits efficient use of the same, limited space to convey emotions defined by thrill, horror and violence. The scene presented to us is of an interrogation. A senior forest official investigates a case where the main culprit, Raja, a bandit leader, was apprehended three months ago. Soon after the arrest and taking Raja and his men into custody, however, some terrible developments came to be. It is simply by way of the conversation that follows between the two men that a sense of deep unease is created within the viewer, suggesting that a force more sinister than what you may have realized at first glance, plagues the world of the film. The interrogation moves forth, as shadows continue to darken, threatening to overwhelm the characters before us. When the final revelation arrives, they have reached a point from where there is no turning back. It would be interesting to see subsequent parts of the story, or a longer project based on the same premise that would allow it to develop to its full potential.

Ondhu Kaadina Madhyadholage | Short Film of the Day

Moonlit sky, chirping crickets and an isolated, poorly-lit courtyard set-up a dark, moody tone for the film. A young man seated on a comfortable khatiya is seen enjoying famous songs of Indian cinema on his mobile phone. After some fidgeting, he decides to put his phone aside, turn the electric bulbs off, and light up candle lanterns instead, in preparation for going to bed. Soon, the sky grows darker, clouds thunder, and an eerie atmosphere prevails, marking the presence of an uninvited guest. Set in the time of Covid-19, the film uses horror and satire to spread the message of human wellbeing, urging its viewers to follow safety protocols. It emphasizes the dangers of the pandemic and how one needs to tread lightly in a world that grapples with a pandemic.

Darrr | Short Film Nominee

It is late into the night when a woman opens her house to an unexpected guest, a man who is wondering if she could serve him some food. As a hesitant Indu allows him into her small dhaba, the narrative deliberately perplexes the viewer as to why a sheep would willingly let the wolf deeper and deeper beyond the threshold. With Indu’s husband gone to the nearby city and no children in the marriage, she is completely alone and at the mercy of the man's malicious intentions. 

The film, borrowing its name from the iconic Hindi song that the protagonist hums, portrays all of this with notable performances, alongside the clear intent, and desire to experiment with its visual grammar. The end result succeeds in creating a sense of poetic justice, while also drawing upon the elements of thrill and horror. Additionally, it subverts the idea of who is a victim and who they victimize, paving the path for more similar storytelling endeavors in the future.

Bekarar Karke Hume... | Spotlight

A secluded bungalow in the suburbs, surrounded by tall, leafy trees and a courtyard, along with a well in the front, is home to a small family of three. The brother, an aspiring actor, gets a casting call from a contact and decides to leave for the shoot. Despite clear instructions from his mother who is away for work, he leaves the sister behind, alone in the house. 
Soon after, the weather turns dark and light rain begins to pour. The sister who needs a hearing aid is playing with her doll when it accidentally falls out of the grilled window. A large, bloody hand, an unfortunate timing and a dirty doll - all of these images are invoked to instil horror and the fear of an uncertain fate of the characters. As matters come to a head, what eventually remains are a series of mishaps at the expense of a few innocent souls, and a terribly dark secret waiting to be revealed.

Agaadham | Short Film Nominee

Arjun has recently returned to his hometown for a short while from the city. On his first day itself, he is surprised by his father with a new vehicle, along with love being showered on him by his mother. This treatment of his father towards him is in direct contrast with that meted out to his brother, Karna. 
At the same time, there are elements of horror, thrill, and a suggestion of the supernatural, that are attempted to be weaved within the story. Jodu Marga, a small stretch of a street, is infamous for road accidents in the darkness of the night. 

The story develops, and Arjun finds himself suspecting everyone's involvement in the foul play behind this haunting which has plagued the small town for years. As the truth is revealed, the narrative mentions mental health, alcoholism, the isolation and loneliness of depression, familial dynamics and the adverse consequences of them all on someone’s life. It is in putting together these aspects that the film presents its intentions to you.

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