*Kaun Se Bapu*
5:48 minutes.. sometimes is too less and sometimes just enough to pass the message. This shortest version of short film does manage to pass the bigger message.
'Gandhi' subject is hugely explored and its bit tough to come out with something new. How does this film do then?
Beginning with pros, Lead actor Archan Trivedi resembles with Gandhiji. His mere presence itself brings warmth & emotion on screen. A smiling face pleases the eyes. Just like an old man with vast experience tumbling out of eyes n face seeing the changed Ahmedabad city. Auto rickshaw journey with ironic soundtrack 'Dekh tere sansaar..' just steals the show & probably prime moment in entire film duration. You may say its the answer of title itself. Explains how Bapu is forgotten in the country which calls him Father of the nation. Beautiful camera angles especially from indoor of Auto. Overall decent cinematography. Needed ' Thehraav (slow pace) ' makes viewer feel breathing time to savour auto journey. Dialogues are nicely written and symbolic visuals are added well. Bapu statue facing conversion is also good.
Only con I can see here is The length of movie. Well crafted portion in itself creates more hunger and thats where it feels falling short. When I saw first time I wasn't seeing timer & was kind of got hooked to the story but then suddenly it ended & I realised time is up. I wish there could be more to see. In a way its a testimony to debutant film maker Mehul Devkala's work that this feeling occurs.
Finally, about Mehul Devkala who is officially making debut with this short. A known Gujarati poet in literary circles, ventures into cinematic arena. This is his first attempt & it went on to win 'outstanding achievement ' category award in international cult film festival kolkata.
Go and watch this short, which is a short reminder to remember Gandhi waale bapu.