On January 26th, 1950, India marked the day’s calendar with the words: ‘Sovereign State’. It was on this day that the Indian Constitution came into effect, hence celebrating the Republic Day every year. Baba Ambedkar headed the drafting community of the Indian Constitution. Notably, the Indian Constitution is the longest constitution in the world, and one of the most beautifully written constitutions. Rightfully so, it took two years, eleven months and eighteen days to draft it.  Republic Day is a celebration of India, its social and cultural heritage. The most significant of these celebrations is the yearly parade by the Indian Army, starting from the Rajpath and ending at the India Gate. Today, on the celebration of the 73rd Republic Day, to add to the pomp, we bring a few patriotic short films, exploring love, unity and India, to add more meaning to the festivities. 

One Day Mataram by Terribly Tiny Tales

One day Mataram, directed by Vijayeta Kumar and starring the talented Vineet Kumar Singh, is a sincere commentary on patriotism. Patriotism is a debatable topic, especially in today’s heavily socio-political scenario. One Day Mataram, as the title’s pun suggests the irony, the movie depicts and tackles this ambiguity and attempts to question reality. It asks us to re-establish the idea of patriotism, not for the spectators, but for oneself. The idea of love for the country, especially during days like the Independence day and Republic day, cannot be challenged through what surfaces on the internet and what happens in real life.

The Silent Indian National Anthem by Reliance Big Cinemas

Our country is not just an amalgamation of men and women. It is men, women, children, of varied identities, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, disabled, different ethnicity, languages, etc. Often the hegemony of the majority makes us forget the deep diversity our country shares. Reliance Big Cinemas shares this beautiful concept through their patriotic short film, the Silent Indian National Anthem. The movie depicts a ‘silent’ national anthem as sung by disabled children in sign language. Are they any less of Indians? Our love for our country shouldn’t be defined by our differences, but by our unity and love for the differences. Many in this country still face discrimination and oppression on varied grounds. This initiative, therefore, calls out to be kinder and respectful to each other, and not question someone’s patriotism based on their language, religion, caste, colour, etc. 

Pehchaan by Jayant Gupta

Short Film Pehchaan is a well-curated movie with heart moving dialogues which pushes all of us to rethink about ourselves and our country. Directed and written by Jayant Gupta, it navigates an old man in a police station, who comes to file a complaint. The complaint is that he has lost his identity, and is searching for it. While this might sound a bizarre complaint, but it weighs a ton. The movie explores the notions of identity and freedom in an independent India. Very subtly, the movie hints at the corruption, ignorance, and falsity the country still hasn’t been able to squeeze out. 

The violence inflicted by men on women is omnipresent. Men oppress women physically, emotionally, mentally, materially, financially, consciously and unconsciously too (the list can go on, by the way!). Men and their privilege has shaped the society that we live in which benefits men but exploits women. Meeraas, a short film directed by Saurabh K Thakur, explores the narrative of this ongoing violence against women, trickled down from one generation to the next, where men retain the stronghold in the patriarchal society and revel in overpowering the women of their households. The short movie, by Six Sigma Films, features popular actors Sadiya Siddiqui, Enab Khizra, Sidharth Bhardwaj, Shiva Jha Mathur and Monica Arora. Saurabh K Thakur channelled the actors’ brilliant acting and emotions sincerely to tackle such an insensitive topic.

Meeraas depicts the story of a middle-aged woman, played by Sadiya Siddiqui, whose tyrant husband subjects her to oppression through physical abuse. ‘Meeraas’ is an Urdu word which means ‘patrimony’ or ‘hereditary’. The title of the movie hints at the plot. It exposes the reality of men claiming women as their properties with whom they can toy however they like. The relationship shown between the wife and the husband, through a few second scenes, vividly depicts the clenching power dynamics between the couple, and who’s being silenced by whom. The wife covers the marks and scars left by the husband through makeup and forces a fake smile on her face.

This facade that most women put up after being subjected to violence and abuse comes as a necessity to maintain oneself respectable in the society. This respect and reputation has more to do with the man’s and the family’s image, rather than the woman’s. Even the brunt of maintaining the image in the society is laid on women and is also used to silence them. The atmosphere thus created pushes the viewers to reconsider the kind of society we’re fostering. As the movie unfolds to a sad and shocking reality of the entangled webs of domestic violence, the question whether the protagonist will go against all norms to speak up now for the revealed victim of domestic violence she comes face to face with also arises.

The extra elements in Meeraas heighten the theme of the movie. For instance, the echoing background voices of the society depict the burden of the societal weight that women have to carry. It also signifies that a lot of factors push her down from taking any action. The movie asks married women to speak up and revolt, and not let society silence them. However, one should acknowledge that majority of times a woman cannot speak up against domestic violence as it is not feasible for them. Financial dependency, looking after her child, or simple shelter, all of it is unanimously tied to her male counterpart because of the patriarchal society. Therefore, the act of speaking up should not only be on women and the victims, but the society and the ones who witness it as well. 

Meeraas remains a multiple awarded short film. Actors like Sadiya Siddiqui, with their bold acting aim to reach out to the viewers strongly. Even the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India, has recommended watching “Meeraas” for sharing the message of speaking up against domestic violence. The movie is a must watch on how silence is leading the heinous crimes against women continue from one generation to the next. 

So, jump right onto watch Meeraas, available on Six Sigma Films’ YouTube Channel!

The bone-chilling aura of the film in the arid deserts, the story revolves around corruption, theft and violence. The incredible acting skills made the hearts blow. The heart-wrenching story revolves around theft, corruption and violence featuring the stupendous actors Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sundar Dan Detha. The Bypass stands out as a story of the lane taken by the newlyweds that tragically ended their lives. The commingle of exceptional actors can make us blow with their acting skills. The 15-minute long film penned by Amit Kumar and produced by Asif Kapadia took us to the grim, arid, dark aisles of Rajasthan, where humanity is assassinated ruthlessly. The twitches and countenances framed the story, without the utterance of a word,  spoke magnanimously on social constraints. 

The actor whom we revere and remember the most, our favourite Late Irrfan Khan once again made us speechless with his incredible acting skills.  He impersonated the corrupt policeman unafflicted by the murder or theft, rather looking for the left-overs to steal. The skills of the incredible actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui captured our hearts as always. Sundar Dan Detha who played the character of the bandit, who couldn’t speak ironically was the only character who grunted in the film.  

The Bypass released in 2003, started with the newlyweds on their way to a lane that ended their lives. They were attacked by two bandits who used to loot and grab the money of passers-by killing them. The bride and groom met the same tragedy.  The further series of events that were mingled with corruption, theft and violence, mentioning them would be a spoiler. When the viewers assumed the policeman would investigate the case and penalise the brigands, he was corrupt looking for left-overs to grab. The way the watch of the groom changed hands, clearly showcased the ill wills of the residents of that lane. The atrocity of the residents that undergoes vengeance and avarice is terrifying. The cinematographic skills are applaudable, where one scene cuts past the other rousing curiosity and the lane deserts, dunes adding to the grim aura created. It is intriguing and filled with intricacies that unfold as the story furthers, hence no wonder that this film was screened at the Edinburgh Film Festival and Aubagne Film Festival. The cinematic splendour has outpoured the elements and laced the story. 

The wordless film, Bypass, without any dialogues, kept us glued to the incredible actors, whose eyes and countenances recount the story. Through this story, the director Amit Kumar, and the cinematographer Rajeev Ravi captured the grim element that gave us shivers down the spine.  To know the series of vengeance, avarice that followed, you will have to watch the film, no spoilers intended. 

The thirty letters written to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi by a common man Kedar Chunawala in the years from 1948 to 2014 is what ‘Bapu’ is all about. The film presents a heartwarming way of being compassionate towards people. The postman, portrayed fabulously by Sumeet Thakur, learns about the letters written by Kedar to Gandhi depicting his dilemma and seeking answers to some very grave questions. He decides to do something for the old man who is now bedridden. 

The director Abhishek Sengupta poignantly presents the idea of humanity through the short film. The way the artists put up the movie is worth watching. Terribly Tiny Tales being one of the best content creators on YouTube showcases the story perfectly. 

Sumeet Thakur fits exceptionally well in the role of the postman. The film presents the idea that a postman is not only a carrier of letters but also a messenger of love and compassion. The way the postman in the film writes a letter to Kedar Chunawala on Gandhiji’s behalf is a thing to swear by.

The screenplay and cinematography clubbed with the effective storyline and perfect protagonist makes for a good watch. For the people who find happiness in small things, this film is the best present for them. A letter is not just a piece of paper, it is a parcel wrapped with love, emotions and feelings. It could mean the world to someone who truly understands the value of it.

Kedar Chunawala had been waiting for all these years to receive a reply to the letters he wrote to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi back in 1948 when he was just 15 years old. In the present time he is shown in the winter of his life, sick and bedridden with an illness of being forgetful and lost. He has lost all the hope of getting an answer to his grave questions now. 

The moment when the postman mentions the fact that a letter had arrived for him, he found a ray of hope. The smile and glow on his face when the postman finishes reading out the letter to him is worth a million dollars. So if you are looking for a fun packed short film that would lead you into a thought, this film ‘Bapu’ is just what you want. 

Add the movie to your watch list soon and have a gala time caressing the feelings the film brings with it!

Our lives are made up of our memories, dreams, passions, grit, and love. Throughout the tedious life, we might come across obstructions and barriers which might force us to leave our passions and dreams. In face of such heartbreaking realities, a person is bound to lose hope and his path. On similar lines is the plot of multiple award-winning short film, ‘Kathakaar’ too. Starring the talented Piyush Mishra, and written and directed by Abhimanyu Kanodia, we see the story of a man named Prakash, and how he finds back his passion from what seemed like a deadend. 

Prakash works at a theatre as a film projectionist. As we remember, the old movie theatres worked on reels instead of the digital video projector. His work, therefore, was to operate the show-reel for the myriad of excited people sitting in front of the large screen of the movie theatre. What made Prakash different was the sheer pleasure he derived from his job. He didn’t just operate the show reels, but revelled in the hundreds of scenes that projected downstairs for the audience. 

Movies, dialogues, and stories fascinated him. The filled capacity of the movie theatre, or, commonly known as ‘House-full’, enthralled him to the soul. We see Prakash mimicking and imitating the hero’s dialogues, narrating the stories, and celebrating the jamborees that these stories brought. 

In simple words, the stories around him and the enthusiasm of the people downstairs at the unfolding movie was his life, and what he breathed in. Like every obstruction, Prakash is fired from this job as the theatre is being transformed into a multiplex. Dejected and heartbroken, he returns to his village. 

Piyush Mishra’s acting is the backbone of the short film. The story is brought to life through the way he buries himself in the character of Prakash. The audience sympathizes with him, as the movie’s atmosphere suddenly becomes gloomy and lonesome, until of course he finds the missing lighter to his matchstick, who was a crying kid. The upset child is entertained by Prakash, who performs a story to him. His story replaces the boy’s face from sadness to laughter. 

Prakash reignites through the child as he realises the children enjoy his stories. Prakash’s character has a uniqueness to it, and it comes through the way he narrates his stories. Piyush’s naturalness in narrating these stories with fluid rhythm, gestures, self made sound effects and expressions, doesn’t let the character fall. Prakash’s talent seems real and tangible. 

As the movie progresses, we find happiness with Prakash’s happiness. The movie is more than just about the characters. Through this short film, Abhimanyu Kanodia translates a very beautiful meaning to our lives. Sometimes we may be silenced or forced out of our elements. Our life’s plans may not work in the way we want, but our passions and dreams can’t be extinguished so easily. They live and breathe in us. In situations like these, we just need to look out for the missing flicker to light the firelight within us again!