Quick movie ‘Scenes From a Pandemic’ recounts the lockdown period by way of a slice-of-life narrative

Molshri and Vijendra Chaubey in ‘Scenes From a Pandemic’, directed by Tanmaya Shekhar
| Picture Credit score: Particular Association

Scenes from a Pandemic, a 20-minute English-Hindi quick movie written and directed by Tanmaya Shekhar, is a throwback to the time when life, as he knew it, needed to be altered to swimsuit the ‘new regular’ throughout lockdowns. The movie streaming on HumaraMovie’s YouTube Channel, produced by Tanmaya and Molshri, who additionally performs the protagonist within the indie, explores the tumultuous modifications in relationships of a 22-year-old, by way of a slice-of-life narrative.

The movie that was nominated for the Critics Alternative Awards (2024), hosted by the Movie Critics Guild of India, within the classes of greatest quick movie, greatest author, director and actress, makes use of Instagram, Whatsapp and Zoom name visuals as narrative instruments.

Like many who had been oblivious to the upcoming unfold of the virus that may quickly pressure the world to pause, Molshri and her good friend Shruti (Bhavya Grover) transfer to Mumbai for his or her first job after faculty, leaving the consolation of hometown Jaipur. Molshri is the pragmatic of the 2, involved over the excessive hire for an condominium in Bandra. Shruti chides her for overthinking and nudges her to drift. The opening parts of relocating to Mumbai and acclimatising to work and residential are narrated by way of Instagram tales and posts, reflecting the methods of a technology hooked to social media. 

Molshri and Bhavya Grover within the movie
| Picture Credit score:
Particular Association

Whatsapp texts and video calls with mother and father and ultimately Zoom conferences takeover. Tanmaya’s narrative intersperses the small reminiscences of lockdowns resembling instantaneous noodles flying off the cabinets of supermarkets to the horrifying actuality of looking for hospital beds, oxygen concentrators and plasma donors through the devastating second wave of Covid-19. 

Molshri and Bhavya Grover are apt for the characters, displaying the keenness, impulsiveness and resilience of 22-year-olds with desires.

The story that takes place over two years exhibits how the characters introspect, iron out misgivings, heal from loss and begin afresh. When the top credit declare that the movie is devoted to all those that misplaced and located new love, it’s befitting.

(Scenes From a Pandemic is streaming on HumaraMovie channel on YouTube)