'Anukul',‘That Day After Every Day’, ‘The Promise’: Short films that made a big impact on global and local audiences

'Little Terrorist' is still one of India's most well-known internationally celebrated short films. It was nominated for an Oscar in 2005 for Best Live Action Short Film. Directed by Ashvin Kumar, it follows the story of a young Pakistani boy who accidentally crosses the border in the deserts of Rajasthan after chasing a cricket ball. It is a moving tale about fear, humanity and compassion. The cast never acted before; Zulfuqar Ali was a street child, while Megnaa Mehtta (who plays the girl) was only a school student. The film garnered global acclaim despite being made on a limited budget, screened at over 100 festivals, and won 14 awards.

Anurag Kashyap’s ‘That Day After Every Day’ is a powerful 22-minute film that tells the story of eve teasing and the rampant sexism that women endure in India. With Radhika Apte, Sandhya Mridul, and Geetanjali Thapa featuring in the film, the story follows three working-class women’s day-to-day experience of street harassment. Their quiet suffering gradually transforms into acts of rebellion and empowerment. The film holds its sharpest climax and demonstrates the emotional storytelling of intense commentary on bravery, gender relations and reclaiming ownership.

Sujoy Ghosh, who earlier directed both ‘Kahaani’ and ‘Ahalya’, adapted Satyajit Ray’s short story in ‘Anukul’. The film screened Saurabh Shukla and Parambrata Chatterjee as there main leads, focusing on artificial intelligence, moral ethics and human insecurity. A Hindi teacher acquires a humanoid robot named Anukul. As Anukul assimilates into human life, it challenges jobs, emotions and identity concepts. The film’s unsettling but powerful ending hits a compelling point: machine-based replacements, personally and with purpose, remind us that machines are steadily taking the place of human beings.

In 'Man Woman Man Woman', Naseeruddin Shah takes his first turn as director, giving us a quiet reflection on love and companionship that moulds time and place. With Ratna Pathak Shah, Vivaan Shah, Saba Azad, and Tarun Dhanrajgir, the film pushes back against stereotypes that favour youth. Our elderly couple experiences equivalent emotional depth, allowing the film to discuss the texture of growing love. This film includes pauses, muted gestures and loving dialogue that reveal the ease, truthfulness, and silent power of love that is unconditional.

Inspired by O. Henry's classic short story 'After Twenty Years', Tigmanshu Dhulia's 'The Promise' emphasizes loss and hope. The movie stars Jim Sarbh and Priyamani and is 11 minutes long. Taking place at a bar, we witness George, a bartender, finally reunited with his past after twenty years of separation, which was too long ago. He returns to the bar where memories are countless, and emotions that he has just underneath the surface pour out. Dhulia reveals the story without over-emphasizing content and relies on a timeless genre that caresses the screen. This is a short film that will stay with you.