Some films don’t aim for grand drama, they quietly follow lives we see everyday but never really notice. “Emotional Story of a Food Delivery Boy” by Six Sigma Films is one such quiet film. It doesn’t scream for your attention, it earns it. 

   Set in the blur of an ordinary evening, the short film follows Sanjay, a food delivery agent navigating the chaos of the city streets. But this isn’t just about a man getting the food from point A to point B. It’s about everything that happens in between — the distance, the situation, the pressure of time, the exhaustion and the invisible weight of expectations on his shoulders.

   There is no voiceover telling you how hard his life is. You feel it. Through close ups of his face, the urgency in his eyes, the fatigue in his hands, the sweat. The story is piercing with no particular background score manipulating your emotions, it’s the natural sound of Sanjay’s journey and his raw emotions. 

When Service Hides Struggle

What makes this film linger is its restraint. It doesn’t indulge in overstating the hardship. The man simply doing his job while tackling the world on his shoulders, even when the world around him doesn’t always see him. The moments of kindness he receives are fleeting, but they feel monumental, because they’re rare and because they’re real.

   In less than 20 minutes, this film asks a big question without saying a word: When was the last time you truly looked at the person delivering your order?

  This is not a film you watch for entertainment, it’s one you carry with you the next time your food arrives late, or a rider calls you for directions. It reminds you that behind every app notification is a human story. And sometimes, it takes a short film to open our eyes to the long journeys being made every day. 

Credits: Six Sigma Films (YouTube)

Some films don’t roar, they murmur and touch your heart. Khidki, directed by the promising Anhad Mishra and starring the legendary Naseeruddin Shah, is one such quiet triumph that has left an indelible mark on hearts and juries alike. This award-winning short film recently clinched the Best Short Film title at the Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati 2024 and had its premiere at the celebrated New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) in East Village, Manhattan. A tender exploration of solitude, aging, and belonging, Khidki represents a bold yet gentle voice in India’s evolving cinematic landscape, one that is not afraid to sit still and let emotions rise to the surface.

Summary of the short film

In Khidki, we meet Suresh (Naseeruddin Shah), an eighty-year-old man living alone in a city that seems to have moved on without him. His closest companion? A modest window, the khidki, through which he watches life unfold. From street vendors to schoolchildren, morning light to evening traffic, the world outside his window becomes his daily theatre, his pulse-check of reality. But when he is asked to vacate his long-time home, the view that gave him purpose stands at risk, and so does his very sense of self. The film builds a deeply emotional arc without resorting to melodrama, giving the viewer space to feel rather than be told what to feel.

Themes

At its heart, Khidki is a film about connection not just with people, but with space, memory, and time. It meditates on aging, loneliness, and the invisible ways we anchor ourselves to places. It questions what we do when our routines, our rituals, and the spaces that comfort us begin to slip away. There’s a quiet commentary on generational gaps and the emotional cost of urban change. It also shows the way society tends to overlook its elders. Yet, the film is not cynical, it mourns change, but also accepts it, much like Suresh himself. Suresh’s quiet attachment to the world outside his window reflects his effort to hold on to ego integrity.

The view isn’t just scenery, it’s a lived timeline, a ritual, a proof of his continued presence in the world. His resistance to leaving the apartment, despite changing circumstances, mirrors a deep fear of falling into despair. The khidki becomes a symbol of his life’s meaning, continuity, and coherence, an external anchor to his inner identity. His disconnection from his estranged son and a rapidly changing society creates a crisis of recognition. The window becomes his looking glass into his own enduring sense of self. With no immediate social feedback to define him, Suresh reclaims identity through observation and reflection.

The routine of watching life go by becomes a quiet assertion: I am still here. The khidki is not just a literal frameit frames his self. It holds memories, routines, and a sense of belonging. Losing the view is not just about relocation, it’s a threat to his identity. His “self” extends into that external space, and letting go of it means letting go of a part of himself.

Where to Watch It?

With beautiful cinematography, restrained storytelling, and a heartfelt core, Khidki is not just a film, it’s a feeling. One that lingers long after the credits roll. The film is produced by ArtCab, and it is released on YouTube.

One of the most enduring relationships in life, built on small moments of joy, love, trust, and mutual understanding, is that shared between a mother and a daughter. There exists a deep emotional connection where a daughter and mother take turns nurturing each other and look up to each other for comfort, wisdom, and inspiration. A peculiar sweetness is in this bond, which lies in the countless moments of tenderness, laughter, and shared experiences. This forms an unbreakable connection that is often unsaid or unwritten, yet exists with deep roots.

As the complexities of life are navigated, the presence of each other remains a constant source of strength. This bond offers a sense of cozy security and belonging that is both precious and irreplaceable. This beautiful relationship is a testament to the power of love and the enduring influence of a mother and daughter caring for each other.

‘Zara Si Dhoop’ is a short film, released by ‘The Short Cuts’ from ‘The Kara Studios’, featuring a mother-daughter relationship. The film follows a girl named Piyali, looking after her paraplegic mother, Neelima. We are provided with a deeper understanding into the struggles and sacrifices Piyali makes, not just in day-to-day life but in major life events as well. This movie shows a dynamic where the roles are reversed, with the daughter being the caregiver and the mother in need of support and care.

This movie touches the audience deeply with its empathetic and tender storyline. It evokes sympathy for the characters as well as a sense of recognition for their perseverance despite the challenges they face. Their ability to keep a positive outlook on life and adapt to their situation is admirable and inspiring.

Credits-Youtube: TheShortKuts

The Ties that Bind

When the daughter is the caregiver, it is done and bound by ties of love, loyalty, and a sense of duty. This enhances the deep connection they share. As the daughter provides care and support, she not only tends to her mother’s physical needs but also nurtures her emotional and psychological well-being. In return the mother is seen trying to offer unconditional love, brightening up the moment whilst drawing strength from her daughter’s devotion. This fosters a deep sense of trust, empathy, and understanding.

Their reciprocal bond is carefully built in moments of vulnerability and intimacy that come with caregiving. The daughter’s selfless acts strengthen their relationship despite the challenges and complexities of disability. All in all, this creates an unbreakable bond that transcends physical limitations and celebrates the resilience of love through an amalgamation of emotions. 

Beyond ability

This movie is a captivating story, relatable, and resonates with common people. It can evoke deep emotional responses, stirring feelings of compassion, and admiration as the daughter’s selfless devotion and tireless efforts to care for her mother are portrayed on screen. Viewers find themselves deeply moved by the daughter’s unwavering commitment, love, and willingness to make sacrifices. The movie could elicit tears of sadness and frustration as the challenges and hardships faced by the duo are depicted. It could also inspire tears of joy and appreciation as their bond and resilience are celebrated. The film’s portrayal of the daughter’s struggles and triumphs can prompt viewers to reflect on the importance of family, the value of caregiving, and the transformative power of love and sacrifice.

Caregiver’s heart

This caregiver’s heart is a testament to the devotion, love, and sense of duty the daughter has towards her mother. Their hearts beat with a selfless rhythm, driven by a deep sense of responsibility, loyalty, and dutiful compassion. As the daughter tends to her mother’s needs, she embodies the essence of caregiving—pouring her love, energy, and time into ensuring her mother’s comfort, dignity, and well-being. She learns to find joy in the small moments of connection and love that they share. It is through this unwavering commitment that the daughter’s heart becomes a sanctuary of love, care, and devotion, a refuge for her mother in times of need.

A Love Unwavering

The unwavering love shared by both is a beacon of hope and devotion, illuminating the unbreakable bond they share. Through the trials and challenges, their relationship deepens to an unconditional form where it becomes the foundation upon which her mother’s well-being is built. As they navigate the complexities of the disability together, their bond grows stronger in sweet moments of laughter and tears. The daughter’s love becomes a safe haven where her mother finds comfort, security, and acceptance. In return the mother’s love and gratitude nourish the daughter’s heart, creating that unbreakable bond that’s beyond words, circumstances, and challenges.

Sacrificial love

This emotional movie depicts the sacrificial love of a daughter who has to look after her disabled mother. With a heart full of love and a spirit of selflessness, the daughter dedicates herself to caring for her mother, putting her own needs and desires secondary to her mother’s well-being. She makes sacrifices without hesitation, surrendering her time, energy, and personal aspirations to ensure her mother’s comfort and happiness. Her love is not just a feeling but a choice she makes every day as she faces and overcomes the challenges of caregiving with patience, understanding, devotion, and compassion. It is through this sacrificial love that the daughter demonstrates the true meaning of devotion, showing that her mother’s happiness and well-being are worth any personal cost. This creates a powerful bond that transcends the boundaries of disability and circumstances.

This movie is a must-watch, being a stark portrayal of the depth of familial devotion. It is a shining example of the human spirit’s capacity for kindness, generosity, and selfless love. Ultimately the movie may leave audiences with a sense of awe and gratitude for the unnoticed, unsung heroes who care for their loved ones with dedication and compassion.

Some stories don’t need backstories or climaxes — they just need a dining table, a mildly dysfunctional family, and a jar of achaar to do the talking. “Achaar- A Day in a Indian Family” by M2R Entertainment is a sharp, comical short film that captures the cultural flow of everyday life in an Indian household with uncanny accuracy. 

   It’s funny because it’s true. And it’s uncomfortable for exactly the same reason.

Set over the course of an ordinary family lunch, Achaar magnifies what seems like the smallest of provocations: the absence of different dishes on the table. What follows is a chaotic, absurdly believable unravelling of family dynamics, passive-aggressive jabs and generational commentary, all simmering under the garam masala of everyday annoyance.

   The brilliance of the film lies in its pacing. Nothing and everything happens at once. A meal turns to a battleground. Complaints come disguised as concern. Affection wears the costume of sarcasm. It’s less a story, more a scene — but within it, you get a full character study of the Indian household.

The Mundane Everyday

Achaar doesn’t shout its satire — it slips into your plate when you’re not paying attention. The camera doesn’t intrude, but it feels like you’re at the table, one seat away from the drama. And the plot devises itself around the dining table of the house, making it the perfect backdrop. The acting is natural, the direction invisible and the writing pinches you without drawing blood.

   It cleverly spotlights how Indian families rarely argue about the thing they say they’re arguing about. The real tension is never about the food. It’s about the underlying ego, hierarchy, gender roles and years of emotional residue sealed. 

   This film works because it doesn’t try to exaggerate. It holds up a mirror to your Sunday afternoons — the unsolicited advice, the layered taunts, the “it’s fine, I’ll do it myself” martyrdom. The father’s disengaged commentary, the mother’s passive frustration, the sibling sarcasm, all painfully accurate. 

   In under 20 minutes, “Achaar” delivers what most full-length family dramas attempt to do: 

It makes you laugh, flinch and nod in recognition of the absurd decisions and interactions we all go through in our families.

_{Credits: YouTube (M2R Entertainment)}

It’s a common misconception that feminism today has rid the world of patriarchy. But it’s only when we leave behind the glittery glam of metropolitan cities and go beyond and into the bylanes of villages long forgotten do we realise the wretched hold of patriarchy. What’s worse, we assume that working for oneself ought to liberate a woman and here in a village women do go out to work as domestic workers, but liberation is far from being attained. The short film Dahani tells a similar tale. 

Dahani: A Closer Look

Directed by Subhasmita Jena, Dahani tells the tale of a small rural village and it’s blind faith in superstition and possessions. On the outset the viewers might see it as a negative thing something that needs to be done away with. But as the story progresses we realise sometimes best tool against patriarchy is the sword that it strikes with or in this case it’s being possessed by Dahani. 

The film is set in a beautiful rural place, where it seemed like women are being treated equally with being able to work outside home and earn for themselves. But soon the film Dahani builds up the anticipation until the plot twist which reveals the ultimate catharsis for womanhood through the women in the village. 

Unlike various protests and marches against patriarchy the film Dahani doesn’t really shout on your face to shut down patriarchy. But rather the women in the village take a more subtle root to subdue patriarchy and get the way that they truly deserved. With impeccable acting and simple set up, the film Dahani let’s the women in the village speak for themselves without any fancy overcast. And by doing this it highlights the plight of many women in numerous villages across the country.

Afterword

Women have a long way to go before they can truly be free especially women living in village areas as the distance from the mainland often shelters many villages from change and new ideas. Thus, it is imperative to work with the belief that already exists in the village to get one’s way. And the film Dahani highlights just that.