Daai (Uncle)- the highly anticipated short film directed by Monuj Borkotoky- premiered on YouTube on April 11 and is currently streaming at the official channel of Pocket Films- Indian Short Films.
Daai is a story of a 55-year-old unmarried man (Devi Borkotoky) who lives in a village somewhere in Assam along with his (elder) sister-in-law Podumi (Bina Patangia) and niece Pokhi (Ranjita Boruah).
Daai, as Borkotoky is called by the villagers, is an artist who performs Bhaona apart from playing a few musical instruments like the flute.
The short film chronicles various chapters of life that one person often comes across in life at some stage.
The story of Daai is a reflection of our lives and the choices we make. It is about the things that we should prioritise and ignore. It is about love, understanding and the emotional and unconditional bondings that we share with our close ones, without thinking as to how we are expressing it.
The film also touches on the most important issue that everyone faces at some point in time- should we give importance to others' opinion about us or should we continue trusting the person we have been throughout our lives? And when we are clueless in such a situation and we don't know as to what should we believe, then what should matter the most for us- the observation of that third person or the opinion of that person who has known us inside out?
Daai is a meticulously directed short film, which is simple and it has natural and rooted performances.
There is no exaggeration and each scene has been shot with utmost simplicity and honesty.
Daai, in my opinion, is one of those short films which will remain with you for a period of time.
I highly recommend you to watch this film. To watch it, click here.
Cast & Crew
Director: Monuj Borkotoky
Producer: Bhupen Gogoi, Subanti Borkotoky
Cinematographer/Dop: Chida Bora
Editor: Prodip Paul
Music: Bibhuti Gogoi
Screenplay: Monuj Borkotoky
Sound Design: Manas Protim Goswami
Sound Mix: Hengul Medhi
Marketing: Abhijit Laskar
Casting: Monuj Borkotoky
Di Colorist: Sujit Borah
Actors:
Daai: Devi Borkotoky
Pokhi: Ranjita Boruah
Podumi: Bina Patangia
ALSO READ | Candid With Assamese Actor Monuj Borkotoky
Partha Prawal (Goswami) is a Guwahati-based journalist who loves to write about entertainment, sports, and social and civic issues among others. He is also a published author.