Hot shorts
Short films have never been immensely popular. That is because more often than not they lack publicity and financial support and are hence unable to reach out to the masses. However, the recent digital revolution has ensured that a large number of film makers have taken to making some brilliant shorts, as they are commonly called. Short films lack special effects, item numbers, and a large number of other factors which one looks forward to while watching a feature film. But somehow, they still manage to touch upon some really important and socially relevant topics, which makes them all the more endearing. Here a list of short films by Indian film makers which I quite enjoyed. Some of them are superb, while in the rest, there is scope for improvement. But nonetheless, they are definitely worth a watch. All of them are available on YouTube; so do check them out.
Pappu Pass Ho Gaya
Director: Raj Singh
We live in a society where a child’s intelligence and future is unfortunately determined by his/her marks, whether it is an entrance test, a board examination, or even a surprise quiz at the tutorial. Amidst all of this comes Pappu Pass Ho Gaya, a movie which makes you question the relevance of these marks. Is that coveted 90 percent all that matters? Do the guys who fail have no future ahead of them? Can we brand people as achievers or under-achievers sorely on the basis of marks? Can happiness be measured with numbers? Watch this movie, and answer the questions for yourself.
The acting is not up to the mark and should have been more convincing. There should have been more of a background score. Even then, the movie makes it to my list as it deals with a situation which most, if not all of us, have experienced or witnessed at some point of time or the other. By the end of it, leaves a sweet taste and something to ponder over.
Positive
Director: Farhan Akhtar
A photographer who ends up with AIDS. A wife who has kept silent, even when she knew her husband was having extra-marital affairs. A son who is fed up with his dad, and fails to sympathize with him even when he’s on the verge of dying. Add Shabana Azmi, Boman Irani and Arjun Mathur to that plot and what you end up with is a piece of exquisite cinema, coupled with performances which you’d wish had lasted longer than 19 minutes. A story which explores the multiple facets of relationships, Farhan Akhtar proves why he is so highly regarded as a film-maker with Positive. Also, Ram Sampath’s original score is one of the best I have heard in any short. The cinematography is simple, yet beautiful. Trust me, this is one movie which you DONT want to miss out on! By the end of it, the viewer is left yearning for more.
Blood Brothers
Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
“Tum bimar ho kar bhi khush ho… aur mein thik hokar bhi bimar”
Another movie which deals with AIDS; Blood Brothers, made in association with the Bill Gates Foundation is a treat to watch. A young man finds out that he has the dreaded disease and feels that his life is ruined. He regrets his actions and curses his mistakes. Only later does he find out that the result had been mixed up with that of a person who had the same name as him. Now he is left with the daunting task of both breaking the news to the man and ruining his apparently perfect life, or being a coward and remaining silent.
Vishal Bhardwaj has always been one of the most potent directors of Bollywood and yet again he proves himself. Siddharth does a splendid job so does Pankaj Kapur. We, the audience, would love to see more of them on the silver screen in times to come. They say it is the director who brings out the best in an actor. Ayesha Takia, who usually scares away all her viewers and manages to turn film lovers into film haters, surprisingly, manages to do a good job. But then, in comparison to her performances in movies like Sunday, De Taali and Paathshaala, anything is good.
Vishal Bharadwaj managed to rope in acclaimed Hollywood cinematographer, Guillermo Navarro, better known for his work in movies such as Desperado, Stuart Little, Hellboy and Night at the Museum, amongst others. Written by Matthew Robbins, who also recently wrote the screenplay for 7 Khoon Maaf, this one is amongst the better short films I have come across.
Fiddlers on the Thatch
Director: Trisha Das
“If music be the food of life, then play on.”
From Kalimpong, comes a heart-warming story which is sure to make you fall in love with music, all over again.
Though slightly longer than the regular short films, bordering around the 30 minute mark, Fiddlers on the Thatch is a documentary based on the Gandhian Ashram School in Kalimpong. One man decides to return from the hustle and bustle of the city, to his home in the midst of nature to give underprivileged children what they might never have got otherwise: the access to western classical music.
It charts the life and journey of Rudra Mani and his students, all of who come from very poor financial backgrounds. The only thing they have in common is their passion for music, and that is what keeps them going.
The familiar sound of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Natchmusik and Schumann’s Traumerie, amongst many others, is a joy for any classical music lover. Also, the visual narrative adds to the simplicity and beauty of the movie.
The film won the Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film as well as the Best Music Award at the 51st National Film Awards in 2004. Though slightly slow at certain points of time, overall, it makes for a good watch.
Meanwhile, if you have come across a short film recently which moved you or disturbed you (in a positive way), do let us know about it.
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About the Author: Lipi Mehta
