Short Film: 'The Other Side' Examines Poverty in Mumbai—“People like you don’t belong here”

Mumbai is a city of contrasts, housing both soulless high-rise buildings and shady, serene woods. But a less visible line also divides it, separating the haves from the have-nots. In this short film, writer/director Nikita Haggangady focuses on Jai (Swapnil Kanase), a starving artist rooted in the latter category. Though unhoused, he works hard. Early in the movie, Jai sketches cartoon portraits of people for money, but is driven away by a corrupt police officer who confiscates Jai’s earnings. Later, some thugs mug Jai, robbing him of the month’s salary he received as a tea boy. With the “lawful” and the lawless equally against him, Jai believes that people like him are destined to stay poor.

Almost a worse crime than poverty in bustling Mumbai is caring about others and behaving honestly. Jai realizes he’d earn more money by begging rather than working, but can’t bring himself to do it. When Jai sees a man get robbed of his wallet, he chases and tackles the thief, wrestling the wallet away. The owner of the wallet seems indifferent upon its return; after making sure all the bills are still inside, the man quickly turns his attention back to the food he impatiently waits for, while Jai continues to go hungry.

“You are getting smarter,” the police officer tells Jai, after snatching money Jai had hidden in his sock. “But when will you learn?”

Yet there are other people also unwilling to learn the harsh lessons Mumbai delivers. A call center worker, Sarita (Arpita Ghogardarf), believes in Jai’s artistic ability, and a man with a small kitchen exchanges food for one of Jai’s paintings.

At the imposing metal gates of Mumbai Art Academy, a security guard informs Jai that “people like you don’t belong here,” but Jai’s fortunes change when he gets hired as a janitor at the school. He earns a living and even has access to art supplies. But a kind deed Jai performs to help a talented young boy stay in the Academy could push Jai back to the other side—exactly where he began.

For this simple tale, Haggangady uses a light touch. Interactions between Sarita and Jai flow naturally, and Sarita is given her own goals rather than forced into a role as the hero’s romantic interest. The film’s action takes place in realistic settings: a call center, an art school, and most of all, the mean streets of Mumbai. Although there is not quite enough time for more nuance, the film is indeed heartfelt.

Incluvie Score: 5/5

Movie Score: 4.5/5