KAAMDEV (YouTube) Short Movie Review

About the Movie

Corona times have taken a toll on people's life not only physically but mentally as well as financially since a lot of people lost their jobs during that time. Kaamdev is a sweet short film revolving around the life of a couple Dev and Kamini. While husband Dev, who lost his job during corona pandemic as a part of a conspiracy by his boss, is now forced to do household chores while still jobless for 2+ years. On the other hand, the wife Kamini has a govt job, owing to her father's recommendation.

The couple usually engages in a bittersweet fight, due to the joblessness of the husband and also because they are childless even after 10 years of marriage, despite doing medicinal treatment from Ankita's Uncle (mamaji) that's not working. So with this, a little frustration creeps into their married life.

One day, Dev gets a call from a lady called Sona aka Sonakshi who introduces herself as a sales executive in a company and lures him into a job for that 'dating company' where Dev needs to talk 'dirty' to the female customers as a part of the job. Dev is very reluctant and his continuous NO irritates Sona who gives him an earful. What happens next is a crackling twist. For that, you will have to watch the movie yourself.

Direction

Director Prabhakar 'MEENA BHASKAR' Pant has written and directed 3 Short Films which have crossed 225+ Million Views (2.25cr. Views) on YouTube. His critically acclaimed Hindi feature film 'My Clients Wife' is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

In these kinds of short films, the most difficult task is to engage the audience which can only be done through a gripping and engaging screenplay and dialogues that play an equally vital role here. In KAAMDEV, director Prabhakar Meena Bhaskar Pant manages to hold the fort for the entire duration and keep us engaged through some witty and subtle humour. The dialogues are pretty smartly written, I must say that not only tickle your funny bone but also mean deep. The short film, which follows the comic route for most of the duration, ends up with a great message as well. Kudos to the director Prabhakar Pant who showed his subtlety in MY CLIENT'S WIFE and continues his impressive work with yet another winner.

Performances

Vishal Om Prakash (as Husband Dev) is in the first to last frame of the film and he nails is with his easy, subtle act of a man who is jobless for 2+ years, and has to listen to taunts from his nagging wife while also forced to do household chores. Vishal is a seasoned actor who has acted in films like (Amir Khan's production) Peepli Live in a lead role and had an unforgettable cameo in Arshad Warsi starrer Jolly LLB. He has also worked in more than 25 Hindi films. He has worked in theatres and done many TV Commercials including Idea and Vedanta Group. Here, he is amazingly natural.

Shriya Jha (as Wife Kamini) looks beautiful and acts beautifully. Though she has less screen time as compared to her male counterpart she easily manages to leave a mark with her lovely presence and act. She is surely an actor to watch out for and deserves big films. Although she has worked as the main lead in Telugu, Bengali and Oriya films. Following this she was launched by Rajshri Productions as the lead in "Jhilmil Sitaron Ka Aangan Hoga", a television serial. Since then she has been doing television serials i.e. Nimki Mukhiya, Isharon Isharon Mein and Ziddi Dil Maane Na being the most recent tv shows.

The third character of the film is Harleen Rekhi (Caller Sona aka Sonakshi). Sonakshi doesn't have any face-to-face dialogues as her role is mostly of a caller but still, she emotes very effectively whether it's comic side or emotional part of it, she manages to stand out as one of the important characters with her impressive act. I wish to see more of her in Indian Cinema. She has done many ad films and is active in theatre groups in New Delhi. She plays the central character of 'Draupadi' in the world-famous play MAHABHARATA directed by Punit Issar.

Overall Verdict

Overall, this 35-min long film is thoroughly entertaining with a great message at the end. It keeps you engaged with its smart, witty dialogues and equally brilliant performances from all three lead actors. You won't be bored for a minute, that's for sure.