“Scenes from a Pandemic,” a 20-minute short film that portrays life during lockdowns, takes viewers on a nostalgic yet poignant journey back to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Written and directed by Tanmaya Shekhar, this English-Hindi indie film utilizes a slice-of-life narrative to illuminate the drastic changes people had to undergo to adapt to the ‘new normal.’ The film, which is available for streaming on the HumaraMovie YouTube Channel, is produced by Shekhar and Molshri, who also portrays the film’s protagonist.
The film has garnered significant acclaim, having been nominated in multiple categories—best short film, best writer, best director, and best actress—at the Critics Choice Awards of 2024, hosted by the Film Critics Guild of India. What sets “Scenes from a Pandemic” apart is its innovative use of contemporary communication platforms. Instagram, WhatsApp, and Zoom visuals are employed as narrative tools, capturing how relationships and individual lives were mediated through screens during the lockdown.
The story revolves around two young women, Molshri and her friend Shruti, portrayed by Bhavya Grover. The narrative begins with the duo moving from their comfortable hometown of Jaipur to the bustling city of Mumbai, right before the pandemic’s onset. Molshri, depicted as the more pragmatic of the two, worries about the high rent of their Bandra apartment, while Shruti encourages her to adopt a more carefree, go-with-the-flow attitude. These opening moments are creatively presented through Instagram stories and posts, mirroring a generation’s attachment to social media.
As the reality of the pandemic starts to unfold, the film transitions to show how Molshri keeps in touch with her parents via WhatsApp texts and video calls. As the lockdown intensifies, Zoom meetings begin to dominate her professional and personal life. The narrative carefully interweaves mundane memories of the lockdown period—such as the frantic rush to buy instant noodles from supermarkets—with the grim reality of the pandemic’s second wave that demanded desperate searches for hospital beds, oxygen concentrators, and plasma donors.
Tanmaya Shekhar’s direction is astutely aligned with the times, capturing the impulsiveness, enthusiasm, and resilience that characterize the 22-year-old protagonists.
. Molshri and Shruti’s characters are depicted with authenticity, reflecting the emotional highs and lows experienced by many young adults during a period marked by unprecedented global uncertainty.
The film spans two years, showcasing not just the difficulties imposed by the pandemic but also the personal growth that followed. The characters introspect, resolve their differences, heal from losses, and eventually find ways to start afresh. By the time the film reaches its conclusion, it poignantly dedicates itself to “all those who lost and found new love,” making the end credits deeply resonant.
The use of social media platforms as a storytelling device adds an extra layer of realism to the narrative. Instagram stories, WhatsApp conversations, and Zoom calls work effectively to depict how digitized communication became a lifeline in a world of social isolation. These elements also serve to underscore generational differences in coping mechanisms and communication habits during the health crisis.
“Scenes from a Pandemic” is more than just a film; it is a time capsule that encapsulates the fears, frustrations, and fleeting joys experienced during the lockdown era. It serves as a reflection of how the pandemic altered lives, relationships, and societal norms. The performances by Molshri and Bhavya Grover are commendable, infusing their characters with a sincerity and energy that resonate deeply with the audience.
For those who lived through the initial waves of COVID-19, the film is a vivid reminder of the emotional and psychological rollercoaster of that time. For newer generations, it offers a glimpse into the complexities of life during a global pandemic—a period marked by social distancing yet underscored by the human need for connection.
As “Scenes from a Pandemic” continues to stream on the HumaraMovie YouTube Channel, it stands as a testament to young filmmakers like Tanmaya Shekhar who use the power of cinema to document the shared human experience. This short film, with its timely and evocative narrative, serves as a reminder of resilience and adaptability in the face of global adversity.
