Bullying is a significant social issue that has garnered increasing attention in recent years, with a growing focus on its prevalence, causes, and consequences. Bullying still has a very real frightening presence among teens today. Adhip Iyer, in his film Bully, portrays common bullying incidents. But he takes it a step further and demonstrates certain unexpected effects of bullying. The short film provides a poignant exploration of this complex topic. It highlights the psychological and social dynamics that often underlie bullying behavior.

Summary

The film opens with a video of Raman crying on his way home from school, highlighting the emotional distress he experiences. He then proceeds with his day, eating lunch, doing homework, and interacting with his parents at the dinner table, where his father inquires about his academic performance. Each school day is a nightmare for Raman. His bullies relentlessly taunt him for complaining and constantly steal his lunch, leaving him feeling isolated and powerless. Although his friend often tries to help him, it does not help the situation. 

Feeling alone and unsupported, Raman gradually takes matters into his own hands. He tries to avoid the bullies by eating his lunch early, which only leads to further harassment. Raman then decides to stop bringing lunch altogether, but the bullying persists. This leads him to resort to a drastic measure: packing his lunch box with feces. While this shocks the bullies, Raman physically confronts them before they can retaliate. This demonstrates his growing desperation and the severe impact the bullying has had on his well-being. 

Despite Raman’s extreme actions, his suffering goes unacknowledged, and he is blamed for his academic struggles rather than receiving the support and intervention he desperately needs from his parents or the school. The climax of the film is surprising but not shocking because it reflects the harsh reality that many victims face.

Discussing Short Film Bullying

The short film effectively highlights the devastating consequences of bullying, particularly the psychological toll it takes on the victim. In the film, Raman’s experience illustrates the isolation, hopelessness, and desperation that can result from persistent bullying. The film also underscores the critical role that parents, teachers, and the broader school community play in addressing and preventing bullying. Moreover, one can notice that Raman starts off being emotionally and physically weak, but gradually, he gets more and more confident about how he is handling the bullying. His retaliation methods are a strong example of how one gets used to the toxic environment.

The significance of the film lies in its ability to challenge common perceptions and assumptions about bullying. Instead of simply portraying the incidents, the film portrays the social dynamics and psychological impacts that often drive victims to extreme measures. Iyer’s portrayal of the victim-blaming mentality that Raman faces from his parents and teachers is a sobering commentary on the broader societal attitudes that can compound the harm caused by bullying.

Everyone’s life is full of expectations, anticipations, hope, and love. We experience different emotions each day, but it’s impossible to imagine having our lives upturned in seconds. Dheeraj Jindal’s short film, School Bag, is a poignant story inspired by the true events of the Peshawar tragedy on December 16, 2014. 

Reminiscing the past, one can easily recall the comforting feeling of walking in a mother’s arms straight from school. With love and affection, she would remove our school uniforms, dress us for the day, and unpack our school bags. Rasika Duggal portrays this affectionate mother, who undoubtedly dotes on her son’s every wish. Farooq, on the other hand, is a lively child, with the energy of a bouncing puppy, always eager for what he desires. 

Summary

The film opens with Farooq who is an energetic and enthusiastic young boy. He enters his home after attending a birthday party, most likely held at school. Like any other child, he excitedly tells his mother all about the fun activities and events of his day. This is followed by a discussion between Farooq and his mother about what they should do to celebrate his upcoming birthday, as it is the eve of his special day. Farooq soon demands a new school bag as his birthday wish, persistently nagging his mother about it. He is shown firmly insisting that his mother buy him the desired school bag. He even threatens to not attend school the next day if she does not. Evidently, the doting parent who indulges her son’s every desire, Farooq’s mother eventually obliges and purchases the requested school bag. She then sends him off to school the next day with a smile on her face. The film then takes a heart-wrenching turn as news spreads of a violent attack targeting a school in the area.

School Bag: Take Away

The film is a poignant take on one of the most tragic incidents in Pakistan’s history. Dheeraj Jindal’s direction ensures that the viewer does not realize the specific setting of the film until they have reached the climax. This highlights the universality of the tragic incident and transcends regionality and circumstances. Terrorist attacks, no matter where they occur, are equally devastating and painful for each affected family. The loss, pain and suffering remains the same regardless of the material circumstances. Moreover, the narrative style of the film evokes a certain emotional resonance that makes the viewer feel the void left by Farooq’s absence. The film also echoes the tragic stories and extensive media coverage surrounding the 1947 Partition. Overall, Dheeraj Jindal’s short film, School Bag, powerfully captures the full spectrum of emotions one could experience during a heartbreaking terror attack. 

We had grown up looking at our fathers for new clothes every Diwali, new toys when we were kids, and occasional family dinners where they would splurge for a wholesome end to the day. However, it is extremely easy for us to neglect their daily struggles. At the same time, it is even more difficult for them to handle all the responsibilities with a smile on their face. Bushirt, a 2024 short film, addresses these sacrifices made by our fathers.

Synopsis

Directed by Aadiep Sharma, Bushirt is a 12-minute short film about the lives of the old couple Gauri (Pradeep Ghildiyal) and Kaushalya (Jagriti Dobhal). The film opens with Kaushalya singing a Garhwali folk song when her husband, Gauri, enters the frame. Soon, they are engaged in a light-hearted domestic quarrel about eating dinner leftovers for breakfast. 

Gauri is a retired old man trying to make ends meet with his pension and savings. Kaushalya, although aware of their financial limitations, wants Gauri to use his last few years of life to the fullest and care less about saving money. The couple, who also seem to be raising their grandson, are also concerned about raising him without much financial restrictions. 

Throughout the film, the couple is engaged in light-hearted quarrels, and Kaushalya keeps asking Gauri to live a better life. She is seen asking him to get a few new shirts (bushirt) made for himself in light of coming festivals. She also advises him to use their car to go around instead of the old scooter Gauri is attached to. However, Gauri is extremely frugal with every decision he makes. He is unconvinced about almost every other expense he needs to make. Through their quarrels, it is evident that Kaushalya loves and cares for Gauri, but both share different love languages. 

Take Away

We often find many people who have struggled to live the life that they live today being extremely frugal. Being economical is the right way to spend. However, it is equally important to treat yourself for your achievements and enjoy life to the fullest. This is even more important once you have started turning gray. Bushirt speaks to this balance and how the lack of it can sometimes lead to unfulfilled dreams. Kaushalya is shown to be worried about Gauri not living life to the fullest and thereby enjoying his last few years.

Another key takeaway from the film is the selflessness in relationships, particularly marital relationships. Sometimes, we get so engrossed in saving for our future that we forget to live in the present and care for our loved ones. Kaushalya’s character embodies this selflessness and her concern for Gauri’s well-being over her own wants. Similarly, Gauri’s character reflects selflessness, as he prioritizes providing for his family’s future over spending on himself in the present. These sacrifices, while noble, can lead to unfulfilled dreams and a sense of regret, as hinted at in the film.

Conclusion

Bushirt, portrays the endearing dynamic between Gauri and Kaushalya. Additionally, it explores the themes of selflessness, sacrifice, and the pursuit of unfulfilled dreams in the twilight years of life. The film serves as a poignant reminder to strike a balance between financial prudence and living life to the fullest, especially in our later years. As we grow older, it becomes increasingly important to savor the present moment and ensure that our dreams, however small, are not left behind.

In today’s world of high-tech apps, where every task is just a tap away, it is easy to forget the past. The times have indeed changed. Technology-driven lives have replaced simpler times and old charm. Pragyan Chaturvedi’s Aath Aana is a delightful journey that will remind you of simpler times.

Plot

Directed by Pragyan Chaturvedi, Aath Aana is a 16-minute short film that takes the audience on a light-hearted and funny journey. Set in 1980, the film follows the story of Satish Sahu (Pururava Rao), a young mathematics teacher, recently appointed in a school. On day one itself, he encounters a debate over the writer of a poem that Nirmal Ojha (Raghubir Yadav), the Hindi teacher, recites. Both of them, certain about their arguments, decide to bet their Aath Aana on it and fall into a heated debate. While one blames the other for having no literature background, the other accuses him of being arrogant. Eventually, they settled on receiving proof from the Delhi University library, which takes months to arrive.

Aath Aana: Analysis

The film, Aath Aana captures the old era and the trivial yet engaging disputes that used to keep people entertained back then. The film highlights the cultural nuances, the nostalgic setting, and the simple yet relatable interaction between the two protagonists. Through the lens of the past, it touches upon the value of respect, patience, and humility. The dry and sarcastic humor highlighted throughout the film adds to the charm and brings out the characters’ idiosyncrasies.

The time spent waiting for the response also brings the two opposites closer, subtly conveying the importance of communication, empathy, and understanding each other’s perspectives despite initial disagreements. The film is a delightful window to the past and triggers a sense of nostalgia for simpler times, where human interaction, rather than technological gadgets, was the primary source of entertainment. Moreover, it highlights the respect for time and distance. The respect that has somewhat faded over the years due to how technologically advanced we have become.

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced world, Aath Aana is a refreshing palate cleanser. It takes the audience back in time and reminds them of the inherent joy in everyday interactions over the trivial yet meaningful things in life. The film, Aath Aana is a delightful cinematic experience. It celebrates the charm of the past while subtly conveying the timeless values of mutual respect, patience, and open-mindedness.

We meet different people every day and even more different personalities. Personalities are diverse and complex, often shaped by one’s background, experiences, and cultural influences. However, we often overlook the nuances a single personality can hold. Padosi, a master’s degree film, explores two personalities seemingly at odds on the surface, but who ultimately find commonalities and form an unexpected bond.

Plot

Directed by Ankit Masih, Padosi is a 27-minute short film exploring how comforting interpersonal relationships can be in times of loneliness. The film opens with a frame of Paheli (Samragyi Bansal), a young woman in her 20s, struggling to open her old, rusty, and seemingly difficult metal folding bed on her terrace. Paheli goes about her day, running errands and writing something in her diary. For the first 5 minutes of the film, Paheli’s character does not speak a word. It suggests a connection between her introverted nature and the stubborn folding bed. However, she can be more lively and outgoing when encouraged, as shown by the friendly message she leaves on a neighbor’s car, indicating that she is not completely disconnected from social interactions.

Soon, her silence is broken by the prompt and talkative nature of Chahat (Vansh Pandita), her neighbor, who she meets on the terrace. While Paheli has minimal things to talk about initially, Chahat on the other hand actively pulls her into various conversations. As they continue interacting, they gradually find themselves connecting by sharing their personal aspirations, struggles, and dreams. Over time, both of them start eagerly anticipating their meetings on the terrace and even begin going out together.

Take Away

Paheli is a complex and multifaceted personality who requires someone’s support and understanding to open up fully. Her initial reluctance to engage in conversation and occasional stuttering stem from a sense of anxiety and fear of being judged by others. However, as she spends more time interacting with the outgoing and talkative Chahat, her stammering gradually reduces. It reflects the joy and comfort that the developing friendship brings her. The bond that blossoms between Paheli and Chahat, bond out of their mutual lack of close social connections, soon evolves into a meaningful and deeply fulfilling relationship that transcends the boundaries of mere neighborly acquaintance. The transformation highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in forming relationships. It also conveys the film’s broader message about the power of connection in overcoming personal challenges and societal pressures.

The folding bed is a recurring element throughout the film. It becomes a symbolic representation of Paheli’s gradual unfolding and opening up to the world around her. The folding bed, which becomes a character in itself is just like Paheli. It is stubborn and resistant to change at first, but ultimately bends and folds as Paheli’s comfort levels increase.