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Last Updated: November 04, 2024, 13:20 IST
Nitin Baid Makes Directorial Debut with Short Film ‘Chashma’
Nitin Baid, known for his editorial work on films like Masaan (2015) and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023), has launched his directorial career with the short film Chashma, which premiered at the MAMI Film Festival 2024.
As I settle down to watch Chashma for the second time, I adjust my glasses, now fully aware of the film’s narrative twists. Paying close attention to the intricate layers of storytelling, I find myself deeply moved once again by Baid’s direction and the film’s emotional resonance. In just over twenty minutes, it unfolds in a way that starkly contrasts with Nitesh Tiwari and Vikas Bahl’s Chillar Party (2011). Nitin shares this sentiment with palpable enthusiasm during an exclusive conversation.
We delve into a comparative analysis of both films, and Nitin reveals that during the production of Chillar Party, he envisioned creating a film that mirrored its essence, without realizing it would come full circle as his first directorial work. He reflects that Chashma, which premiered at the recent MAMI Film Festival, beautifully weaves together his childhood memories and experiences as a storyteller.
For those yet to experience the film, Chashma is set in Mumbai in 1992 and follows a schoolboy grappling with vision issues. This struggle not only affects his ability to read the blackboard but also hampers his enjoyment of television. Ultimately, he discovers that his poor eyesight has created a significant blind spot in his life, compelling him to confront both practical and metaphorical aspects of his vision. The film features performances by Konkona Sen Sharma, Shishir Sharma, and Ayan Khan.
Nitin draws a personal connection to the storyline, as he also faced vision challenges in his youth. “The core idea springs from my own experiences. I couldn’t see the blackboard clearly and dreaded wearing glasses due to fear of bullying. For months, I concealed my issue while struggling in class, which led me to wonder about the implications of witnessing something significant yet being unable to articulate it. This concept of ‘seeing’ became the foundation for Chashma,” he explains.
He aimed to explore the idea of perception on a deeper level, beyond merely depicting a child who gains sight. “Do we truly see things as they are? That’s the underlying question,” he emphasizes. Having contributed significantly to the editing teams of acclaimed films like Gully Boy (2019) and Raazi (2018), Nitin developed the narrative during the pandemic, wanting to highlight themes such as societal discrimination and the influence of media on children’s perceptions.
Chashma has garnered positive reviews from critics at MAMI. Producer Dimpy Agrawal, founder of Gubbara Entertainment, notes the audience’s enthusiastic reactions during screenings. She recalls the palpable tension in the theater—giggling and gasping at pivotal moments—indicating that viewers were emotionally engaged. “When the audience feels something, that’s a significant accomplishment for us,” she states.
Nitin has shared the film widely, seeking feedback from a range of renowned filmmakers, including Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti. He particularly values the insights provided by director Vishal Bhardwaj, who viewed several iterations of the film.
“He offered crucial feedback that led to changes in both the film’s duration and narrative style,” Nitin explains. Bhardwaj suggested reducing a particular racing scene, which Nitin took to heart. “His notes were invaluable in refining the film,” adds Dimpy. Vishal’s guidance played a significant role in shaping Chashma as it stands today.
Despite being a short film, Dimpy expresses hopes for Nitin to consider expanding the story into a feature film. However, both are pleased with how Chashma turned out. Following its success at MAMI 2024, they plan to submit it to more film festivals and explore opportunities for digital distribution, saying, “After MAMI, the film is heading to Dharamshala, and we are actively seeking additional festivals while also looking to package it for OTT platforms.”
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