With the rise of several OTT platforms, people are now more inclined towards web series and movies, often overlooking short films. Although not mainstream, short films do form a major part of cinema. They cover topics that remain untouched by normal films and manage to convey the message in under 40 mins. Free from the strict rules of Indian censorship, there are numerous Indian short films on YouTube. Here’s a list of a few thought-provoking and also light-hearted Indian short films that you can watch for free on YouTube:
1. Chhuri
Chhuri, directed by Anurag Kashyap and starring Tisca Chopra as the female lead deals with how the main lead smartly confronts her husband’s mistress. The sharp and direct dialogue in the film shows how women can stand up for themselves in situations like those.
2. Chutney
Yet another short film starring Tisca Chopra, this one is a bit different than the one we saw above. Chutney is a short thriller filled with twists and turns which will leave you in wonder by the time it ends. With a chilling plot, amazing storytelling and visuals and a satisfactory climax- this 16-minute long film has it all.
3. Juice
Juice portrays a powerful story of the sad reality and the subordinate position of women in Indian households. It is a beautifully written short film by Neeraj Ghaywan with even better cinematography that perfectly conveys the message.
4. Khujli
A Terribly Tiny Tales Production, Khujli follows the story of an old couple who try to rekindle their lost sex lives. Girdharilal (Jackie Shroff) and Roopmati (Neena Gupta) stumble upon their son’s ‘stuff’, opening a conversation that leads them to scratch their “itch”
5. Kaande Pohe
Kaande pohe is a light-hearted story about an ambitious girl who wishes to continue working even after marriage. The title of the short film signifies ‘kaande pohechya karyakram’ – the day when a potential match meets to discuss marriage.
6. Baatein
A heart-touching story, Baatein deals with the delicate topic of ragging/bullying and suicide. The film beautifully explains how we often fail to hear the plea of our close ones and end up losing them in just an instant. It’s a must-watch for teenagers and their parents.
7. Barat
Barat opens with an old miser troubling a pani puri wala and goes on to take a very unexpected turn. It’s a slow horror film- showcasing the man’s experience on an isolated road with a 20 rupee note- doesn’t sound scary, does it? Wait till you watch the ending of the film.
8. Devi (CW: Rape, Sexual Assault, Violence)
A multi-starrer, Devi is an eye-opening short film. In a country that worships Goddess Devi, it’s almost ironic how women themselves are not protected. The metaphors used in the film perfectly convey the status of women in India and the ending adds on to the ground reality.
9. Chupchaap (CW: Rape, Sexual Assault)
Another short film touching on the topic of rape, Chupchaap begins with the narration of a poem by the main lead which becomes very relevant as the story goes on. Not only does it portray the serious issues faced by women on a daily basis, but it also shows how carelessly men react to those problems.
10. The Booth
The booth is a forbidden love story between a lady frisker in a mall and her lover. It’s not every day that you see the LGBTQIA+ community being represented in the Indian scenario. The risk borne by both characters is felt as one watches the film. It is an outstanding short film that is a must-watch for all.
11. Pralhad
This short film is an inspiring excerpt from Late Sri Pralhad Chhabria’s autobiography “There’s no such thing as a self-made man”. Sri Prahald Chhabria was the founder of Finolex Group. The story follows his journey to Mumbai and how he builds his path to success with the help of people he meets. Pralhad is a must-watch for all budding entrepreneurs.
12. Kati Patang
Kati Patang is a romantic horror short film. It is a perfect love story conveyed in a mysterious, yet beautiful and heart-touching manner.
13. Khayali Pulao
A short film by famous YouTuber Prajakta Koli aka MostlySane, Khayali Pulao is a story that resonated with millions of girls in our country. It follows the story of a small-town girl with big dreams and the problems she encounters from the people around her. The story carries the prejudices young girls face in a patriarchal society and delivers it to the audience in a subtle and nuanced way.
14. Rasta
The universe is the greatest teacher. It delivers life lessons to us in the most unexpected way possible. Rasta follows the story of a man and the lessons he learns as he gives a lift to three people. These three people help him gain a new perspective on life.
These are a few Indian short films on YouTube that deserve a watch. These short films express vivid and beautiful stories in just a few minutes with minimal dialogue. Be sure to check them out if you need a short yet meaningful bout of content.
Also read: 12 Famous Indian YouTubers Who Made Their Way To Movies