Films & Screens

Darkly comic Indian short film ‘Shameless’ creates Oscar buzz

iGlobal Desk

If 2020 has taught us anything it is the importance of kindness in a world reeling from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In the midst of it all, hitting home the point of compassion comes the impactful trailer of ‘Shameless’, an upcoming fast-paced dark comedy thriller packed in 15 minutes. Its tight plot revolves around the premise that people are losing human connection and becoming rude and isolated due to social media and technology.

Now creating some buzz as India’s possible Oscar entry, ‘Shameless’ was a finalist at the recently concluded 3rd edition of the Best of India Short Film Festival 2020 and also it premiered at the New York Indian Film Festival. Hussain Dalal won Best Actor at the Filmfare Short Film Awards for the film in 2019. The overall presentation is darkly comic – both visually and thematically – but there is an underlying message of kindness, hope, humanity and decency.

Writer-Director Keith Gomes said: “I am very excited that the trailer of ‘Shameless’ is out now. With all the hate and anger that is going around, the world needs kindness and my films are a reminder that being kind is actually easy. I hope ‘Shameless’ makes an impact in that respect."

Presenter Shabinaa Khan notes: "The trailer of ‘Shameless’ truly captures our indifference towards the disadvantaged. The short displays the sense of entitlement that well-off youth in India carry with them. The working class are considered inferior and often abused just for doing their job.”

Actors Sayani Gupta and Hussain Dalal plug the film as their attempt to normalise kindness in our ordinary lives.

“The idea is to recognise the hardships of people who don't have it easy. We're hoping that viewers pause, register, and think about how compassion can be a routine," they said.

The film is produced by Ashley Gomes, Keith Gomes, and National Award-winner Sandeep Kamal, Co-Produced by Girish ‘Bobby’ Talwar, with production design by Suresh Selvarajan and with sound by Oscar-winner Resul Pookutty of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ fame.

SCROLL FOR NEXT