TINY TALKIES

Why are so many Alist Bollywood actors and directors taking to short films on the web? It lets them break out of the mould, they say — prove themselves in new genres, play characters they’ve never played before, say and do things they would never be able

A60-year-old Jackie Shroff tries to explore kinky sex with a 57-year-old Neena Gupta. They fumble spectacularly (furry handcuffs almost go on the foot) but succeed in putting the spice back into their relationship. That’s Khujli, a 16-minute short film. “When I first heard the script, I was rolling-on-the-floor laughing,” says Shroff. “I think it has an important message to couples who have stopped being romantic after their kids have grown.”

That message has played out on about 1.1 lakh mobile and computer screens in the three weeks since the film’s release. It’s one of many web shorts — short films created for and distributed on the internet — that are drawing Bollywood stars and, in the process, changing the short-film industry in India.

What are big names doing in such a small format, working with young firsttimers like Khujli director Sonam Nair?

Ironically, many are finding creative liberation. “Most actors are doing short films for free or for very little money,” says Kalki Koechlin. “I’m doing it for creative satisfaction. Also, these films are available online, free, at all times. That makes them a good way to get through to people.”

Big-screen veterans like Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah have shown up in sweet romantic short films like Kheer and Interior Café Night.

Actors like Manoj Bajpayee, Konkona Sen Sharma and Tisca Chopra are featuring in dark short films like Taandav, Kriti and Chutney. Last month, Koechlin made a statement against online trolling in a 15-minute short titled Naked.

Director Neeraj Pandey, whose films generally deal with politics and nationalism, took to light laughs with his short film, Ouch, starring Manoj Bajpayee as a cheating husband. Imtiaz Ali’s India Tomorrow, brief and evocative at just six minutes long, has a sex worker discussing stocks with a client. WHY BOLLYWOOD IS DROPPING IN For those who’ve followed India’s steady output of web shorts over the past decade, the plusses are clear. The format allows for out-of-the-box storylines and nontraditional storytelling.

For actors, going short has other advantages: The medium isn’t dependent on weekend box-office results. Quick schedules mean a shorter commitment. And there’s the chance to take on risqué roles and never-seen-before avatars.

“Short films give you an amazing opportunity to experiment and surprise yourself and others,” says actor Manoj Bajpayee, who says his wife Neha urged him to try them out.

Director Shirish Kunder loves that the films are out there, online, for anyone to watch or rewatch when they please. “When you’re making a web short there’s no question of chalega ki nahin chalega (will it work or not),” he says.

His own short film, a psychological thriller titled Kriti, has had millions of views since its release in June. “Also, in feature films, you have to play safe. If you keep jumping genres, the producers will not trust you. But here you can experiment with genres. I had never done a dark thriller before. By making one I prove that I can.”

Tisca Chopra, who wrote, produced and acted in Chutney, says she did so out of majburi or desperation. “Roles in feature films are few and far between and rarely exciting,” she admits. “Supporting stories that other people would not back inspired me.”

WHAT BIG NAMES BRING

A 15-minute film featuring a well-known, top-billed actor is undoubtedly a shot in the arm for viewership. Fans of the star log in to watch. Casual browsers tend to give the film a shot. A big name lends credibility and recall value.

For filmmakers, it’s a win-win. Relatively unknown director Devashish Makhija found the spotlight on him when Manoj Bajpayee starred in his short film, Taandav, in February 2016.

Bajpayee’s boost helped enough for Makhija to make his next short, Absent, without any star two months later, and still garner 2 million views.

Film critic Anupama Chopra points out that when 10 or 12 million people are watching one Tisca Chopra or Manoj Bajpayee short, a significant number will also click on other films made by unknown directors. “Every film featuring a celebrity or getting directed by a popular director is helping this industry grow,” she says.

BIG STARS, BIG CHANGES

Makhija believes web shorts have become popular because they capitalise on viewers’ brief attention spans and because the internet is not at the mercy of distributers. “The viewer and the creator are one click away from each other,” he says.

Kunder, on the other hand, finds that making short films allows a director a more varied audience — a great resource when you’re making feature films as well.

“I often go through the comments on my short film and there are many people watching who are not the typical web audience — urban, savvy and English-speaking. They also give honest feedback,” he says. “The intellectual crowd is not the only one watching shorts, people from all social strata are viewing them.”

It’s a better platform when your message

is more timely or complex than Bollywood can handle – particularly with social issues or niche problems.

“It’s difficult to do a feature film on a timely issue because by the time the movie is released the subject is dated,” says Koechlin. “A short film is a great way to capture the moment.”

MEDIUM AS THE MESSAGE

Many web shorts featuring movie stars are published on the YouTube channels of web-based entertainment platforms like HumaraMovie, Terribly Tiny Talkies, Pocket Films and Large Short Films. These are platforms that have established themselves, and having big names on the roll only takes their brand further.

What it doesn’t do is bring in big money. “The involvement of celebrities has definitely given web shorts a boost,” says Sameer Mody, founder and MD at Pocket Films. “But the main avenue for monetisation remains ads, which are low-yield.”

Vinay Mishra from HumaraMovie agrees. “Celebrities in short films are a double-edged sword,” he says. “Their involvement can make it harder for new filmmakers to break the clutter, be heard. It raises average cost of production too.” One way out is branded shorts. Director Shlok Sharma (feature film Haraamkhor; web short Tubelight Ka Chand) cites the Vicks ad made by Masaan director Neeraj Ghaywan, featuring a transgender woman and her adopted daughter. Branding was minimal in this short, but it’s a slippery slope. “If a short film’s content is all about the brand’s message, then artistic freedom gets hampered and audiences could get put off too,” Sharma says.

Makhija has refused to do a branded short and fears that they will start a race for eyeballs and money that will muddy the waters.

“I have been part of some meetings where I have seen rate cards from YouTube to buy views,” he says. “The rate fluctuates depending on how much natural traction a film is getting. Short films are getting millions of views within weeks in this manner, and no one is questioning it.”

THE ROAD AHEAD

For now, Bollywood’s stars and filmmakers are coming to see the web short as a great way to creatively expand. Kunder is planning an action-drama next.

Koechlin is writing a poem called Noise, about the cacophony of everyday life, on which she hopes a short film can be made.

Shroff wants to direct short films now. “I may fall flat on my face, but I want to give it a try,” he says.

Short films give you an amazing opportunity to experiment and surprise yourself and others. MANOJ BAJPAYEE, actor