An anthology of 7 short stories, "Zindagi: In Short" is indeed a slice of life representing different emotions of suffering, pain, humiliation on the one hand, and jubilation, victory and restoration of pride on the other, all packaged into each of the episodes. It's a feel great, not just good, actively engaging dramaturgy that leaves you on a high at the end.
"Pinni" belongs to Neena Gupta who delivers a trademark performance. It's about an elderly woman, a master of sweetmeats, whose individuality has gotten lost somewhere in her journey as she retains her only identity as a Pinni-maker, even at home. With one swift stroke, she restores her real self, dignity and respect and it's brilliantly sweet too. Like "Sleeping Partner" belongs to Divya Dutta, a woman in her middle age being abused by her husband, but reluctantly falling into the trap of having an extramarital affair with his young colleague, only to realise that it's all very messy. But does she get back at the chauvinism and misogyny with a bang. "Sunny Side Upar" is a bittersweet tale of a young oncologist who believes only in realism and not in romance and emotions, only to be jolted out of her vanity in one swift moment. She starts to understand that life is too short without love and romance. "Nano So Phobia" is Swaroop Sampat playing an elderly Parsi lady suffering from delusion and phobia about being attacked by her man servant, with a startling conclusion. "Chhajju Ke Dahi Bhalle" is an innocent tale of budding live between a Muslim girl and a Sikh young man in Amritsar, with a wicked twist in the tale that you don't really know how to react to. "Thappad" is a comic strip narrative of two school going siblings and how they deal with a few bullies, with a musical score reminiscent of "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly", and is innocently delightful. Lastly, "Swaaha" is about the end of a marriage based on a one-sided loyalty that has been met with deceit on the other, discovered by chance, and does Deepak Dobriyal blow it hot.
Don't miss "Zindagi: In Short" available on Netflix. It's a fabulous mood upper and serves every emotion possible.
