Kirdaar short film - short review: Mukesh Chhabra gives a memorable performance as a struggling theater actor

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Let me warm you up to this piece by showing you the trailer of Swati Semwal's short film that features my bossman, mentor, elder brother - Mukesh Chhabra.

In what can perhaps be called as a delicious twist of role swapping, actor-director Swati Semwal has cast Mukesh Chhabra, the casting director, the man who has cast her in many films. Semwal’s short film, ‘Kirdaar’ is the journey of a struggling theater actor, Aman who commits himself to his role so completely that it isn’t even safe – not for him or his loving wife, Aditi (played unimaginably brilliantly by Pooja A Gor).

The popular perception of theater actors is that they will not shy away from going to any length to do justice to the characters they play. ‘Kirdaar’ is a dangerous extension of the same thought. Given it’s runtime of less than 20-minutes, the director does a great job of saying more by showing less. To top it, the performances feel so heartfelt, one is already rooting for either Aman or Aditi – or even Aashiqa, the character Aman is essaying.

Given the fact that Chhabra is the most sought-after casting director in Hindi cinema, agreeing to essay this twisted character is a really bold step – nowhere close to his or anyone else’s comfort zone. While watching ‘Kirdaar’ it is evident that Chhabra has internalized his years of experience of interacting with theater artists of various backgrounds. Pooja Gor does justice to her role has the wife who is at the receiving end of her husband’s creative endeavors.

I am really paranoid, if my loving wife, Rani, God forbid, ever had to go through this trauma.

Director Swati Semwal must be appreciated for documenting a theater actor’s journey in a way that keeps you hooked all the way. Director of photography, Syed Tanveer Riaz and the editors - Jayant H. Verma and Akash Malame have done a great job too. Watching ‘Kirdaar’ might leave you asking for more, but that’s perhaps the biggest victory of the director and her entire cast and crew.

Watch the full film here:

Also, happy birthday to me!