Vishnu works at the local tannery, and on the day the film opens, he requests a half day of work. He is expecting a guest at home who is special enough to not only let go of half a day’s wages, but also to irk his boss with a leave request soon after a recent one the previous week. 

As the story develops, it is revealed that a lot of Vishnu’s hopes to overcome his day-to-day problems hinge on this visit of the ever-evasive guest. In the process of portraying it, the film brings to the fore the cyclicality of hope in the face of despair, especially in the face of despair. Despite all odds and bleakness, Vishnu vehemently holds on to what he calls “blind faith”, while his immediate reality remains crippled with financial difficulties and responsibilities. In a world rife with exploitation, where a clay model is swiftly replaced by another, an idol attains overwhelming power, and the wait for a better tomorrow becomes the driving force. 



The narrative presents its comment on the many tribulations of existence by way of abstraction and the divine. The portrayal and approach to all of these ideas are skilled and notable, supported equally by the performances and screenplay.

Waiting for Kalki | Short Film of the Month

The film opens in a blasted heath, the barrenness of the landscape becoming an apt sight for the dialogue-less action that is about to unfold in this universe. A man desperately searches for something, eventually collapsing exhausted from his fervent pursuit. 
The narrative breaks itself into different parts, each corresponding to a defining moment, while also adopting an experimental approach. The metaphors abound in this seemingly empty space, where another soon enters the empty frames to accompany the protagonist. As conflict rises, the film aims to invoke complex imagery to talk of lust, war, the ensuing pain, and the forward marching passage of time, the true currency in a chaos-ridden world. The film’s world-building and storytelling become its notable aspects, with the visual grammar and performances bolstering them with skill.

Pluto’s Eclipse | Short Film Nominee

The fact that the complex narrative of this film was conceived and achieved within the fixed duration of the 50 Hour Challenge of the India Film Project is commendable. Metronome is a film which successfully uses experimental camerawork to share the story. The intelligent narrative of the film too deserves a mention. While at the start, it may seem like it might spiral into obscurity, it soon proves the viewer wrong with its skilful development.

Metronome | Short Film of the Day

Operating entirely within the ambit of abstraction, the short film keeps itself confined to the physical space of a room. Blank sheets and pens to write with are in abundance before the protagonist, and yet, he is unable to come up with even a single word. Have all pens dried up? Is there something wrong with the sheets of paper? Or is he simply distracted too easily, much to his own anger and frustration? The narrative, devoid of any dialogue, raises all of these questions. It finally concludes with the thought that perhaps all of the protagonist's energies are invested in replicating that one scribble he had achieved a long time ago. Unable to do so, he is constantly distracted, flustered and left with the inability to create any further. However, this is only one interpretation of the events unfolding before you. The film leaves the door open for more, depending on the viewer's desire and inclination.

Cloacked Pens | Short Film Nominee

The short film adopts a visual style which is reminiscent of the sepia toned cinematic reel of the past. It is fairly straight in its story - one that shares an account of the life of a young woman as she moves from one task of her life to another - be it with a family member or by herself. The narrative offers situations and incidents relatable for several - from boiling noodles to taking your bicycle for a ride. By its own admission (read: YouTube description), A Lover's Spat wants to invoke a sense of nostalgia for all those memories and moments that existed in a pre-lockdown world. Indeed, the mellow tone and approach of the film then becomes even more relevant, especially in its sincerity to share these intentions with the viewer.

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