Sometimes I believe we wrongly blame our politicians for giving false promises. They do what they see. Everywhere around us, if you observe you will see yourself surrounded by lies and deceit. Friends, colleagues, bosses, loved ones, neighbours - One would be lucky to have a handful of genuine people in one's life. It seems like a blessing in today's times. Why blame them alone for this, then?
If , a 26-minute short film by acclaimed Bengali filmmaker Tathagata Ghosh, is a sensitive, evocative piece of storytelling that lingers long after the credits roll. Set against the everyday rhythm of life in Kolkata, the film delicately unpacks the story of a lesbian couple torn apart by the weight of societal expectations and dares to imagine a different future, one where a mother's love might just change everything. What struck me first was the film’s raw, grounded realism. The characters feel like people we know, middle-class families navigating a complex world with quiet resilience. The world of If is filled with silences, glances, and stills, rather than heavy dialogue. Ghosh masterfully uses these moments to speak volumes, allowing viewers to sit with discomfort, interpret the unspoken, and feel deeply.