The film is rightly titled The Ride for what a ride it is! Essentially, the premise is defined by the collision of two unlikely strangers shooting an Instagram Reel. However, within it rest several thematic concerns that bring to life a conflict between passion and practical, professional demands. It invokes the idea of virality, something that has given rise to a new currency in the contemporary world. If you do manage to accumulate a significant amount of the same, irrespective of your disdain for the medium, an important realization awaits you - that you are not as impervious to its charms as you thought. The film begins with a ride that Arjun is sharing with his colleague, one who is about to break to him a bitter news - he has been fired from his job from their agency due to his inability to deliver Reel videos according to the client's wishes. And yet, at the heels of all the despair, a pivotal development follows. Leaving this world of advertising and corporate control behind in his colleague's car, Arjun now steps into the colorful shadows of an auto whose shimmer refuses to be dulled (even in the face of Arjun's explicit request to turn off the glaring light). This marks the protagonist's journey away from his comfort zone of order and fixed ideas about creativity. It is what lies on the other side of this experience that conveys the film's core message, tying all of the aforementioned thematic concerns with an uplifting sense of hope.

The Ride | Short Film of the Month

A Christmas Carol is a story of one afternoon and a conversation between a dejected man and a cheerfully unconcerned boy. The former has had a rough day and is in no mood for the boy's chatter. The latter, on the other hand, is unstoppable in sharing his love for dance and his approach to life. The story is notably well-written and is beautiful in its simplicity. As the two exchange their dreams and stories, a sense of hope and perseverance is invoked which is perhaps all the Christmas cheer one needs this festive season. The film is heartwarming, innocent and goes to show the importance of good narratives in determining a film's success.

A Christmas Carol | Short Film of the Day

Chintu Sharma is a relentless film aficionado. As soon as school is over, he darts out to catch the latest film at the local theater. However, 'Phillum' does not immediately introduce us to its protagonist and this reality. 

Instead, first there is the establishment of a small school, perhaps even suggesting a movement back in time. The film presents a sincere endeavor in capturing the ethos of not only a village, but also of an endearing, enthusiastic young protagonist. 

As for Chintu, he is not only a viewer, but also a storyteller, even performer, as he regales his peers with stories of the films he has watched. The end result ties all of these elements together to leave the viewer with a narrative that aims to be wholesome and uplifting.

Phillum | Short Film Nominee

Two men, Kultaar Chatwal and Shounak, at vastly different stages of life, and in vastly different circumstances, find themselves united by a common thread of despair and existential dread. They are both disillusioned by the city and life they find themselves located in, and grapple with them in their own respective manner, as their shared loneliness and isolation further pronounce the film's title. However, one day things take the most unexpected turn when a woman called Kavery Chandra ends up at their doorstep. She is unfazed by the sight of two men drinking in a house by themselves and is more than comfortable sharing their accommodation for a week. 

The next morning introduces us to a Kavery who has taken over the household chores like cleaning and setting up the house, a plot progression that seems a little inconsistent with the character of a woman who is planning to stay for only a few days. However, if one chooses to view it as part of her cheery personality that aims to bring happiness within the narrative, perhaps it can be overlooked. The storytelling in itself presents to us an MPDG-esque character, something the viewer might have encountered previously in mainstream cinema. 

The performances of the three actors become the true strength of the film, as does its visual grammar, aiming to leave the viewer with an uplifting message about hope, optimism, and finding peace in the most unexpected ways, maybe even as unexpected as the entry of a woman who refuses to give up even in the face of the most overwhelming battles.

Out of Place | Short Film Nominee

The documentary presents a world of scores and scores of clocks at first glance, and then introduces us to the man behind this fascinating collection, Anil Bhalla. 
 
Seventy-nine-year-old Mr Bhalla is an avid collector of not only clocks but also bikes and cars. Sometimes aided by his son, he nurtures his love for his collection, which was sparked off when his grandfather first brought back three clocks from overseas many decades ago. Presently, his collection stands at over 650 clocks. 

The short film weaves its screenplay with skill and care, presenting meaningful visuals that give a glimpse into all of these aspects of Mr Bhalla’s life. They are seamlessly tied with very intimate philosophies and beliefs. Though the narrative struggles to maintain its thematic concerns, moving from one object to another, and from an external activity to an internal journey of loss, it nevertheless presents a memorable protagonist and an insightful look into a life where each object holds immense significance.

As Time Goes By | Spotlight

Right ahead of her wedding, Suhana, an aspiring comedian, finds herself submerged in a stinky soup. A video of one of her performances has gone viral. Expletives smoothly fall off her tongue as part of the act. However, her fiance, Rupak sees each of them as chipping away at the reputation of his family. In between proclamations of love, both made and demanded, Suhana is forced to apologize to his family, promising not to repeat her actions. 

 From the scene of a fancy wedding, where the families have gone all out with their blazing guns, leaving no stone unturned in conjuring the fanfare, to a standup video defined by its graphic language to a would-be-bride who finds herself face-to-face with the most crucial dilemma of her life, the film paints several emotions and ideas and presents them to the viewer. Though the actors all seem to exhibit potential, it somehow remains untapped after a point, along with the presence of a few rough edges in the department of sound. 

As for Suhana and Rupak, there is still more to be said about their relationship and the imminent marriage, and the film echoes it all. Along with this, Suhana's brother Roshan, and a soon-to-be unearthed character, Lokesh Chaturvedi, have their indispensable parts to play as well in this sweet, humorous and well-intentioned story about dreams, passions, social pressures and finding within yourself the courage to finally come into your own.

Ladies First | Short Film Nominee

The dilemma between what you want and what you need is at the heart of the film. The protagonist, Parthu adopts a first-person narrative to take the viewer into his past. Once there, the narrative quickly changes its approach to give us an external glimpse into his life. A young man with dreams of becoming an actor, scriptwriter, and director, Parthu is supported by loving parents who encourage him in all his endeavors, irrespective of the cost. In his own pursuits, he is unaware of the sacrifices they are making to help him. The plot presents a sincere portrayal of all of this and some more, eventually concluding with a development that ties the film together comprehensively.

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