Remember the days when promises were legally binding contracts holding everyone around you accountable for each promise? There was no excuse for breaking a promise if you broke it there are consequences that need to be met. The innocent world of a child is filled with hope and love for everyone and everything. A love so pure that it used to refrain us as kids from doing things that might hurt others. A heart that always thought before it acted. Aai Shapat (translation: Mother Promise) tells a similar tale.
Aai Shapat: A Glimpse
Aai Shapat (translation: Mother Promise), two words that are every kid’s sacred promise. The consequence of failing to keep it will directly affect their very first best friend, their mother. As kids, these two words were only uttered when there was no other way to prove our innocence. This promise was the highest form of promise. Gambling with the life of the lady who gave birth to you especially when you know you are lying is the highest form of sin.
As we grow up we realise that words don’t actually hold much meaning unless and until they are followed up with sincere actions or are backed by sincere thoughts. But for doe-eyed, innocent children who still believe in magic, words are everything. Aai Shapat, a 15 mins short film is a testament to this fact.
Aai Shapat: A Simple Tale of Childhood to Adulthood
The film starts off in a busy neighbourhood where kids are busy playing a match of cricket. We are soon introduced to two cousins Soham and Ninad. Though both are around the same age, they both are very different from each other in the sense that Ninad has gotten a taste of the real world while Soham is yet to venture out of his childhood innocence. This particular angle is beautifully executed with a very gripping and extraordinarily simple storyline.
With a simple tale and simple setting, it is surprising how the film leaves such a big impression on the viewers. The film focuses entirely on the doubts and horror of a kid untouched by the bitter truth of adulthood. Because of this, the audience gets a chance to see how subtly the transition from childhood to adulthood takes place. As the adults in the film go about their daily lives oblivious to the doubts clouding the mind of the child, we realise how often have we as adults ignored or brushed off a child’s concerns which further makes their transition to adulthood faster than expected.
Afterword
A sweet tale about a kid having a taste of the real world where words hold no value. This film reminds us how important it is for us to pay heed to every look of concern on our child’s face in order to ensure that their moment of innocence lasts a little bit longer keeping this world happy and genuine for a little more time. Following the tiny face of horror and confusion throughout the entire film, you won’t even notice when time flies by. The open-ended ending is sure to keep you guessing whether the world actually managed to crack the innocent bubble of the child or not, all the while making you more vigilant towards the shift in emotions of the kids around you.
