The idea of vision and sight has been explored in cinema, often in horror or action films. Hariom Mehta also incorporates this theme in his 10-minute short film, using a crime approach to convey a complex message.

The “Sight” review is a component of the Submit Your Film Initiative.

The movie opens with a monochrome scene of a woman making bread, accompanied by soft music. The sound of something clanging leads to a transition where a man in a white shirt is shown towering over a crowd. He looks directly at the camera while a deep voice narrates about the concept of observation. A news broadcast then reports multiple murders in the city, warning people to be cautious. The same man, who appears to be blind, is seen moving around with a cane. He enters a building and overhears a husband and wife arguing – the same woman who was making bread earlier. He knocks on their door and the husband answers, to which the man reveals he is selling ghee.

The outcome is completely surprising and, furthermore, the events that follow aid Mehta in linking vision with viewpoint. Essentially, he suggests that what may be considered a killer by society, could be a rescuer for an individual. His perspective also sparks a discussion about domestic violence, although it is more implied than explicitly stated.

Mehta’s perspective on crime and his response to it are amusing, but the film has flaws in other areas. The use of black-and-white and strong shadows makes it challenging to understand the events on screen. While this may be an attempt to convey blindness, it is not executed as intended by the director. Additionally, the constant background music becomes bothersome after a while, and the heavy reliance on narration over visuals is also a negative aspect of the film.

The performance, however, is at a high standard. Nilesh Brahmbhatt’s portrayal of the blind man is truly impressive, from his appearance to his movements and dialogue. Kumud Sukhadiya effectively conveys fear as the wife and adds a captivating sense of suspense to the short film.

The term “sight” indicates that Mehta has some intriguing concepts, but he could improve in how he brings them to life on screen. A larger budget, which would also give him the opportunity to lengthen the film that is currently too short, would greatly benefit him.