The film opens on an oppressively despondent note. All of us at some point have felt the overwhelming burden of a rut, of a mundane life that is constituted by living the same day over and over again. Our protagonist is located at the heart of one such circumstance. 
Even on his birthday, the emptiness and isolation of his lackluster life have left him drunk and alone in his car. However, when his path crosses with two men in an unlikely manner, a story of thrill and foolhardy behavior commences, a story that is never devoid of humor and inherent bonhomie. The two constantly define the situation as the protagonist now finds himself celebrating his twenty-ninth birthday with four men living a life vastly different from his. 
The chemistry of the actors, and the performances they bring to life, embellish the film markedly. The result is an honest glimpse into a problem that often plagues urban existence, and presents storytelling, and world-construction that exhibit deep potential and must be explored further in future projects.

Until Today | Spotlight

The narrative does a notable job of invoking several elements and thematic concerns - childhood trauma, mental illness, battles with medication, sexual exploitation - and engages with each of them adequately. The story is of Titir, Mithi and Tirtha, childhood friends who were separated from each other by a terribly tragic event. Even though their paths may have crossed again in adulthood, their equation is far from what it used to be. 

Plagued by the many travails of time, both Mithi and Tirtha battle their own personal demons as well. The portrayal of this friendship becomes the preoccupation of the film. The film further utilizes poetry and symbolism to enhance itself, eventually leaving the viewer with a meaningful story of malice, loss, but also friendship, and loyalty.

Sleeping Pills | Short Film Nominee

The short film follows the life of Shikhar who has a history of intense domestic abuse meted out to him by an alcoholic parent. The father, Mahesh, would abuse both Shikhar and his mother in the harshest, cruelest of ways, leaving the protagonist not only with visible scars, but also an immense emotional burden to carry forth in his life. 
Memories of decades long abuse and trauma still ensure that Shikhar's present is not devoid of distress. Details and objects like an ink blot, tea spills, a pocket watch, all come to play crucial roles in this aspect. At the same time, he has also developed an eye for identifying signs of struggle, and responding to the unheard call for help. The aforementioned elements are eventually tied together with a supernatural ability of the protagonist that the viewer is gradually introduced to. 
Amidst it, however, darker and unsettling revelations simmer under the surface, waiting to be unearthed at the right moment. All of this allows the narrative to reach a truly disconcerting conclusion for the audience to then interact with.

Imprints | Short Film Nominee

Trigger warning: self-harm 
A deeply troubled man stands before a noose, about to take his life by suicide when the most unexpected stranger runs into him. Once the suicide attempt is halted, an entirely new conversation ensues. The man, Aditya, who has completely given up on life, is engaged in an exchange by the stranger, Abhinav, who makes him question the folly of his decision, with the reminder of the pain and grief that would be left behind if he ends his life. 

The writing of the film, and particularly Aditya’s character, brings in a sense of having been betrayed by others, lied to by your loved ones who either only pretend to care, or simply dismiss with toxic positivity when one begins to share their sorrow with them. 

The performances of the two actors are smooth and free-flowing, allowing the screenplay to exhibit clarity and earnestness. Even if the narrative comes to be marked by a certainty of development, the points it presents remain extremely emphatic and relevant, pronouncing a very important message about mental health.

Is That You? | Short Film Nominee

‘Inni’ is a very sincere endeavor of a young team that exhibits deep promise. The story is about one night of absolute chaos that includes violence, assault, murder, rape, and four characters, , Indra, Inamika, Pratap and Nisha, located at the heart of it all. As the investigating officers get to the business of cracking this case and finding the true culprit, the narrative invokes loss, regret, malice, cruelty, and an element of song and music to embellish the story. 
It also does a notable job of keeping the viewer guessing, and therefore engaged, throughout about who the true culprit is. The writing and visuals evidence skill, even if the casting of the actors exhibits a few hits and misses.
The film, however, remains marked by its storytelling and the intentions to weave it all together as a composite, balanced whole.

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