India Feature Film: A DAY OFF | 印度故事片 – Asian Film Festival, Los Angeles

Story of a boy living in a village amidst a city, who finds the truth about his father’s death. The truth only told by his friend who had seen his father getting beaten up by Dilip bhau (colony owner) & his men. Rajan (12) , whose daily task is hoarding fish twice a day and managing school hours in between, plans to avenge his father’s death the next day. Especially the next-day being his father’s one year death anniversary. Sombre Rajan, grieving about his fathers loss and even more hurt upon knowing that his mother lied to him about his death, is lost for words. In the afternoon, Rajan’s neighbour (Vikas) who’s also a right-hand-man/assistant of the colony owner (Dilip bhau), walks in drunk abusing and swearing on one of the neighbours. Rajan recollects what Anwar had told him about them having guns. Rajan some how manages to get his hands on Vikas’s gun and flees. Aggravated and still feeling cheated by his mother, he finds himself under the shadow of an unending dilemma, often in illusionment. He reminds himself of the moments he spent with his father. These moments from the past and the illusions of his desire, are the constants we see in his journey that feed him the nerve.

He safely manages to plan everything out as a 12 yo child in his capacity would, alone. Next morning, he sets on his toes for the quest, to kill Dilip bhau. Of course he bunks his school too, but that’s the least of his problems. He remains focused, though at times doubts his will power and audacity. The constant visitations from the past being moments shared with his father, would further fuel him every time he would be discouraged to take this leap, hoping to move closer to his desire. This is a story that takes place in a single day, it shall either make him or break him.

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