There are very few films, as of today, that manage to interweave multiple themes into their narrative. No, scratch that. There are very few films that manage to interweave multiple themes into their narrative in a manner that seems seamless and not forced. ‘Body Image’ is one of those few. What started off as a short film that scrutinizes the issue of body shaming evolves into something that touches on the issues of single parenthood, of the relationship between a father and a daughter and, perhaps most importantly, the idea of being a support system for your child, especially in the times we live in.
Directed and written by Shivankar and Shipra Arora, ‘Body Image’ is the story of Arushi, played by Arsheen Namdaar, a teenage girl who learns an important lesson just as she is about to take her first step into being an individual in the world outside. Perhaps, the most endearing aspect of the short film is the relationship between Arushi and her father, played by Puneet Panjwani. But before we get into that, it’s important that we set a foundation for the narrative that the short film follows, without spoiling things, of course.
The film follows Arushi just days before an ‘Acting Competition’, something that she is incredibly excited for. Her father encourages her to apply for the competition soon, however, Arushi is still determined to apply at the same time that her friend, Vanshu, does. It turns out, however, that Vanshu had already applied for the competition. To add insult to injury, Vanshu goes on to remark that Arushi wouldn’t be a good fit for the competition on account of her weight. Dejected and insecure, Arushi decides to not apply at all. What follows is an endearing conversation between father and daughter and the importance of focusing on things that are not just skin deep or superficial.
‘Body Image’ is a film that is more about just its title. It manages to capture a number of thematic ideas that all push forward to an individual’s growth. Shipra Arora, as a writer, has done an incredibly beautiful job at tying the ideas of self-love, parental guidance and individual growth all together. Shivankar Arora, as the director, skillfully navigates the challenges of bringing these ideas from the script to the screen, instilling, in each scene, a sense of genuine humanity. The Arora siblings have been creating wonderful short films for some time now and this is another incredible addition to their portfolio.
Credit must also be given where it’s due. Arsheen Namdaar and Puneet Panjwani have done a marvelous job at creating a believable father-daughter relationship on screen. While there are theatrics involved in the conversations they have, something that runs the risk of coming off as exaggerated dramatization, in this case, it creates a sense of endearment between the two. That primarily comes as a result of Namdaar and Panjwani being their genuine selves on screen. You cannot help but root for this father-daughter duo. After all, this story is as much about a father trying to raise a daughter as it is about a daughter trying to grow up.
Watch ‘Body Image’. It will be fifteen minutes well spent.
