Natkhat

Vidya, who has also co-produced the short film with Ronnie Screwvala, brings simplicity and nuance to the role. Dressed in nylon saris with a mangalsutra in place, her character’s arc runs parallel to her son’s story. With bruises that are harder to explain with each passing day, she is both the victim and harbinger of change in this story. Her vulnerability is matched by young Sanika, who goes from entitled to empowered in the space of half an hour. The moment it dawns on the child that his mother is the victim of the same patriarchy that he is so actively espousing is particularly evocative. Natkhat, the title, is a direct reference to Krishna, a god who steals butter and clothes of gopis. Sonu’s grandfather also mentions how he should be allowed to watch only Ramayan and Mahabharat after his transgression with his classmate. However, the only fable that sits right in this short is the one told by his mother. Maybe women should be writing the new stories of a new world.