Shorts - The next big thing: Sujoy Ghosh, Shirish Kunder, Bejoy Nambiar talk about this new trend!

Even as filmmakers experiment with content and the line between parallel and mainstream cinema blurs, a whole new arena has opened up for them. Short films or shorts as they are popularly called, have always been around, but in the last one year, the genre has got a fillip thanks to social media. Not only are filmmakers who started out with short films before graduating to feature films going back to their roots, even those who haven’t ever made one before are attempting it. Sujoy Ghosh made the short thriller Ahalya and now Shirish Kunder is ready with his short Kriti that will be released online next month. Yash Raj Films’ youth arm Y Films has already released three shorts and will be coming out with more in their series of Love Shots. What’s more, Bolly actors are embracing short films by being a part of them. After Hrs analyses the reason behind the spurt in shorts and why it’s luring filmmakers.  

More avenues
Bejoy Nambiar, who started his career making short films like The Reflections  before making his Bolly directorial debut with Shaitan says that earlier there weren’t many avenues to screen shorts. “But now because of social media, YouTube etc, you have multiple platforms to put out your work. Also, the appetite for short films has gone up as people can consume the content anywhere — phone, tablet, laptop, PC etc,” says Bejoy who will soon be directing a web series. Mohinder Pratap Singh, who made the short film Salt N Pepper starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Tejaswini Kolhapure adds that because of the sudden rise of the digital platform, the consumption of online entertainment has increased tremendously.” And since it's consumed ‘on the move’, people prefer shorter duration, the reason the demand for short films has increased.” 

No restrictions
Unlike feature films where the maker has to keep an eye on the box-office, and go by market requirements, he is not saddled by these concerns on the digital platform. There are no middlemen, the film he makes goes directly to the viewer and the success is determined by the number of hits it gets. Also since censorship is lax on the Internet, he can take risks in story-telling. “For filmmakers it’s a great way to fine-tune their crafts and it’s quick to turn around,” reasons Ashish Patil, Head — Y Films No wonder, more and more filmmakers are looking at it as a means of exploring/fulfilling their creativity. As Meghna Gulzar, who has just made a short film, India India says, “The stakes aren't as high and the restrictions are lower so one can truly push creative boundaries.”  Tigmanshu Dhulia may not have made a short film in the strict sense yet — he has made a 50-minute mini film Baarish Aur Chowmein — but he is all for short films. “I would love to make one as there is no monetary restriction and no set target audience. Plus I will get a chance to really enjoy and create art,” he says.
That’s exactly the reason Shirish Kunder, whose last directorial Joker was four years ago, chose to make a comeback with a short film. “I had written it a year ago. My intention was to change gears from what I had done earlier — light-hearted film and romcom. Those genres are not my zone, but those were the opportunities I got then. My favourite genre is drama and thriller and that’s what I have done with Kriti. Also, unlike a feature film which takes a year or more to make, this is quicker, motivating and gives a good experience as a storyteller,” says Shirish.  

Actors love shorts
While actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Manoj Bajpayee, Nimrat Kaur and Radhika Apte continue to make strides in cinema, they are also making a mark in short films. Manoj has already done two shorts — Jai Hind and Tandav — in the last six months and will soon be seen in another one, Kriti. Radhika Apte (Ahalya) and Nimrat Kaur (El’aichi and The Road Trip) have become regulars in the genre. Konkana Sen Sharma recently starred in a short film Nayantara’s Necklace. Raveena Tandon, who was seen recently in Jai Hind with Bajpayee, says she did the film for the strong message it sent across. “It was about what the freedom fighters have left behind with their legacy of beautiful thoughts. I didn’t think of it in terms of acting, but thanks to internet, the film cut across boundaries and age groups to reach people and the response was immediate.” Is there any difference in the way they perform for a short film? “There is no difference. Both require equal amount of preparation, it’s just that a short film reduces on its duration of telling a story,” says Radhika who will soon be seen in Kriti and Oysters (British film). However, for Taapsee Pannu (Baarish Aur Chowmein) it is an arena to experiment. “We get to do what we can’t in feature film because of the monies involved. While short films don’t help actors pay their bills, they definitely give creative satisfaction,” she says.

Cost and returns
With the help of technology and easily accessible filmmaking tools, making a short for the digital platform is a cakewalk. As Ashish says, “All you need is an idea, maybe a half decent smartphone and basic edit software on a laptop. Professional cameras and gear are becoming cheaper and simpler to use as well.” However, the cost depends on the filmmaker and the scale it is made on. While the monies earned from these films are still being worked out, it’s the instant response that gratifies filmmakers. Meghna affirms, “The viewer is quick and the verdict is quicker.” What about monetary returns? According to Bejoy revenues models are being worked out. "The more viewers you get, the bigger the sponsorship. But they are still in the process of figuring it out. As people will put more content, there will be more subscription. We are not making tons of money, but we are on the way there,” he quips. Manoj avers that at this point of time no economics is involved. “In any case people are not working with the intention of getting their money back. These are creative people passionate about their art. Most of them don’t charge anything. All of us are experimenting with our craft and trying something different.”

Way to go
Whether it is financially viable or not, digital platform is the future agree filmmakers. As Shirish says, “While one waits for his feature film to fall into place this becomes a good medium to get your work out. You have so many stories in your mind and you have an audience today.” Tanuja feels making short films for the online medium is liberating and artistic. “It's perfect for younger directors who would like to get experimental as well as experienced directors who have always wanted to tell a certain kind of story close to their hearts but have never been able to.” Manoj, who has become the go-to actor for shorts, says there will be an exponential rise. “So many newcomers have approached me to star in their film that I have had to say no to them. But there is so much talent and thanks to the medium, they are getting encouraged to dabble with the craft, and do it instead of waiting for things to come.”
 Moreover, once the product is put online it lasts longer. People are going to watch it and recommend it if it’s good. There are no two ways about the fact that short films online are the best way for filmmakers to experiment and showcase their talent till the next big thing happens.