Donkey

Keir Burrows shows the mirror to the society. We will do absolutely anything to become popular. Take advantage of the disabled/challenged or even pretend to be them. Now c'mon haven't we all narrated a funny story that happened with someone else as our own. There is a subtle message for differently able people to think positive as well. And of course the brutal honesty about how each one of us is an ass when young.

Lallan Miya says, "ek ladka tha height me sabse kam...khaate hum sab the aur school ki bench saaf woh akela karta tha...aaj phone mila ke sorry keh detaa hoon"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctRP3b4NntM

Unread

Chakri Toleti says a lot in this silent short. A street rat who cannot read gets a written message from this girl who drives by every day. How would he respond? I feel if I call it a love story then it will diminish the feeling that it leaves you behind with. The musical narrative punctuated with text combined with B&W/sepia tones does remind you of Charlie Chaplin films but does not give you the feeling of it being copied.

Lallan Miya says, "ladakpan ka pyar yaani meetha ladeej paan...supaari geeli aur gulkand zyaada"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-RKh6zRBYk

Nayantara's Necklace

Jaydeep Sarkar shows how two ends of the pole meet at the end of a parabolic journey. Crisp and nuanced writing backed by brilliant performances by Konkana and Tillotama make this short engaging and rewarding in the end. Watch it for the brilliance.

Lallan Miya says, "kahaani achi hai...bhai pair toh itne hi failaane chahiye jitni lambi chaddar ho"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1TTNOBbN2k

Aai (mom)

Arup Dwivedi illustrates a mellow...nice ...sort of predictable story. The illustration style is interesting but not out-of-the-box. screenplay too is not surprising. But then this was titled mother's day special. Music is entertaining. Overall you can avoid this long short.

Lallan Miya says, " kehna hai toh kuch naya kaho...puraana parantha naye tawe pe garm karke na pesh karo".

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwLgXKHzaXQ

The last day

Adhiraj Bose shares this extremely short short film on 'Bromance'. Men don't have feelings or they don't know how to express. The dialogue evokes one of the above two cliches. The acting keeps it real. Also it's less than 4 minutes, so just watch it.

Lallan Miya says, "mard ko dard ...khair chodo yaar"


Idhar Dekh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czkIAM6wYEY

Bunny

Vasan Bala is a psychopath. And so are the protagonists of this short. Wait, I meant the antagonists. So that's the thing. This story plays a tug-of-war in your head. Both actors do justice to the mad script.

Lallan Miya says, "shuru mein inko dekh ke humdardi hui...phir toh daraa hi diya kasam se"

Idhar Dekh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=denCgypvoOE

R.I.P

Shlok Sharma takes us through a race for love. Two men who seek love race towards a prospect only to realize it wasn't meant to be after all. The Punjabi commentary make the whole ordeal hilarious. There is a twist in the end too. Watch for it.

Lallan Miya says, "abhi toh main jawaan hoon...abhi toh main jawaan hoon"


Idhar Dekh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pshtHXsvTWs

Cuddly

Karan Shetty takes you back to life when it used to be simple. A sweet conversation between a new age daughter and her mother. You will love this if you are expecting, a new parent or just about anyone who loves the simplicity of Indian lifestyle. Watch it for the writing.

Lallan Miya says, "dus mahine ho gaye hamaare sahaab zaade ko high-chair laaye lekin chote nawaab toh sirf huzoor ki godi mein baith ke baby food khaate hai"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxlujFhJUAo

Deuce

Chintan Ruparel takes a mother-son arguement and play it nicely over a ping-pong table. The arguement swings between the two from match point to advantage to deuce and repeat.
Good writing and subtle performances make the short more likable. The premise touches upon new-age family dynamics where we have started introducing our kids as his, mine and ours.

Lallan Miya says, "ummi ke saath behes toh hum roz karte the...aur jeet bhi jaate the...lekin aakhir mein jaan hota tha ki ammi ammi hai...aur bachu hum"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC1DgJUargs

Agli Baar

Devashish Makhija creates tense moments in this 7 minute intense short. I found myself mouthing, "What will happen next? Oh my god! Look behind! Hang up and run you idiot! "
Thoughtful camera work considering the film is video calls all the way. My only bone of contention with the film is the end. Perhaps all shorts need not conclude themselves.

Lallan Miya says, "bhai jigra toh hum bhi rakhte hai...par aisa tension mat do".

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPjLTucZq6Y&list=PLiSLpA52i2KgF9Hhw0z1h953ta3Neq-xU&index=3