The year 2020 was a gruesome time for everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the world hard resulting in a complete lockdown in March that year. Numerous people and families suffered during this hard time. From being stuck in different cities and not being able to help their sick family members, to losing their jobs and having major financial crises, people went through extreme turmoil. One such story is that of a young woman “Brishti” who was trapped in a rented flat during the lockdown.
“Qaid” takes us on a moving journey as it uncovers Brishti’s struggles to meet her basic needs and her father’s medical needs. She was laid off at the beginning of the lockdown, facing a lack of finances to run her rented house and unable to pay her father’s medical bills. When his health takes a serious turn, she finds herself helpless. About to lose hope, she is saved by a glimmer of hope. This is “Qaid,” a story of pure resilience amidst the most testing times.
Watch this brilliant short film here:
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From The Director’s Lens
The Director of this short film, Aritra Sen, or as we like to call him “Ari” is passionate about all things cinema and photography. He not only directed “Qaid” but was also responsible for its screenplay and cinematography. As a cinematographer at One Digital Entertainment (ODE), he has worked with some of the leading YouTubers in India, like Bhuvan Bam, Prajakta Koli, and Carry Minati, amongst other noteworthy names.
Ari is also the man behind the lens for our “The Social Nation Show.” Produced by ODE, ‘Qaid‘ is his debut directorial venture. The short film is actually inspired by his wife Rakhi Debnath‘s real-life experience of being stuck in Pune during COVID alone. Dealing with layoffs and days when basic foods were scarce or unavailable was quite tough.
A True Story
“She finally managed to sell her furniture to go back home once flights were operational. I never knew her story would become my inspiration to write ‘Qaid’,” revealed Aritra. We asked Rakhi about her insights:
How did you find the courage to fight against all odds in that daunting environment?
I have faced failures in many aspects of my life, but in every situation, I have found my mother beside me, no matter what. She is the source of my courage.
But at that time, I was away from her in a different city. There was no one around, as all my roommates had gone to their hometowns. The news was filled with reports of COVID deaths and people struggling to survive that difficult period. I had only one motto: To get back home to my family somehow. The long period of staying alone taught me how to be strong mentally and emotionally.
What advice would you give to those who feel extremely stuck in life currently?
When you get on a bus or a train, no one helps you find a seat. Life is like that. People may be around to support you, but no one can achieve your goals for you. This is your struggle alone, and it’s an endless journey. There will be days when you won’t feel like getting out of bed due to your mental health, and there will be nights when you cry yourself to sleep. But you can’t give up; you have to try again and again, as there will be better days ahead. When you reach those better days, you’ll realize you’ve become stronger.
The Birth of ‘Qaid’
A conversation with his good friend and colleague Akash Mathur gave Aritra the idea to write a screenplay featuring a single character in a single location. His wife, Rakhi’s story felt perfect. Ari then wrote to several YouTube channels that showcase short films and ultimately got Humara Movies to release it on July 2.
The Inspiration
During lockdown, Aritra watched a lot of Jafar Panahi films. “He is incredibly skilled with non-actors and can keep the camera still for several minutes, which gives his films a unique treatment. Apart from Panahi, the film “Joyland” played a huge part in creating a visual style and inspired the film’s music.
The Casting
“I wanted to cast someone who was either a non-actor or had just started acting. Luckily, I knew Veera Jain, an ex-colleague who had just started acting in plays. She agreed to be part of the project after the first read,” shared Ari. Akash, the colorist of the short film, also has a cameo in it.
Meet Brishti/Veera
‘Qaid‘ happens to be Veera’s debut short film. We asked her about her experience working on it.
How was it carrying the film as the lead?
I was a little nervous as Qaid’s essence of the story was dependent on Brishti completely, and I had to do justice to the character. We worked for 18 hours straight and it didn’t even feel like it. The team (Ari and Rakhi) made me feel at home and made sure I was always giving the best shots possible. Overall, it was an experience of learning and understanding what many people went through in the lockdown, alone.
What goes behind the making of a character like ‘Brishti?’ How did you prep for this role?
Brishti is a character that has layers of emotions throughout. She was not described as a happy girl in the movie, and I felt getting sad emotions is more difficult than the happier ones in acting. I believe that the acting of the character should be such that the audience forgets about the actor playing the role.
I could relate to Brishti to some extent as in my personal life, I remember not getting a job after my post-graduation (right before lockdown happened) for months while others were employed instantly. It was a tough time but I kept trying. To get close to those times and feelings, I prepped for the character by reading the script numerous times. I sat with the director to understand emotions before every scene and then executed it.
What impact did this role and emotional story have on you, Veera, personally?
This role made me explore some deep emotions as an actor and person for the first time. For instance, to imagine and act for someone who went through the trauma of losing a job, away from the family, and managing it all alone is something I did not imagine. It reminded me of the lockdown and how I was with my family while a close cousin of mine was staying alone and managing everything for four long months. The plight of people going through it all was depressing and we can only try to imagine the dilemma they went through and survived.
Personally, it moved me to play this character and I hope whoever watches this movie feels grateful for what they have. It has made me realize that life is uncertain and it’s on us how we go and grow through it. Please be kind to people and hug your loved ones a little tighter when you meet them. 🙂
Why Talk About The Lockdown Now?
This was one question Aritra got asked repeatedly. “The Covid lockdown was probably one of the biggest and most relatable incidents that the entire world faced collectively. The number of people dying was equivalent to a War aftermath. And we still watch those films, don’t we? People who have lost a lot during Covid they will never forget what they faced during those months. The lockdown itself is a character in the film,” explained the Director.
Having a job in our Indian society is a big deal. If you have a job, you have respect. But many people are still facing layoffs. “There’s a shame associated with not having a job. This is how we are conditioned. This is our ‘Qaid’,” shared Aritra Sen.
The short film is so impactful, it humbles you. I found myself emotional while reaching the end. “Qaid” reminds you to be grateful for all the little things. It teaches you how hope can find you in the darkest of corners as well. A big thank you to the entire team for bringing this gem to us! Go watch it now if you haven’t already!
