Starring : Anupama Parameswaran, Hakkim Shajahan

Directed by : RJ Shaan

Produced by : RK Nallam and Ravi Kashyap

Cinematography : Abdul Rahim

Edited by : Joel Kavi

So, continuing the series of reviewing movies and shows online, our today’s pick is Freedom at midnight, the latest Telugu short film on Youtube featuring Anupama Parameswaran. Let’s now see how the 29 minute short turns out to be.

Story :

The short film deals with the plight of a housewife named Chandra(Anupama Parameswaran). She is a frustrated soul and confronts her husband Das(Hakkim Shahjahan) that she is looking for sexual freedom. She also goes ahead and reveals some shocking thoughts about sexual freedom. This upsets Das and a huge argument erupts between the couple. It finally ends in a very emotional and startling revelation. Why is Chandra speaking like that and what is the whole freedom at midnight thing all about. That forms the story?

What’s Good

All this while, we have only seen Anupama Parameswaran in romantic and fun roles. But she has come of age and portrays the role of a frustrated housewife wonderfully. The manner in which she showcases the pain which she is going through because of her hectic life and husband ignoring her is too good to see. Not only does Anupama looks good, but does so well in all the emotional scenes. The short film is filled with lengthy confrontations and Anupama is quite sincere and will connect to many housewives.

The main lead, Shahjahan is also very good and brings out the male chauvinism superbly with his act. The camera work is stunning and the visuals add a solid effect to the film. Diaogues and Telugu dubbing are also perfect. The BGM is also set up well and editing is perfect and is in point. The biggest asset is that even in just 30 minutes of runtime, there are a plethora of emotions that are revealed in this short film.

What’s Bad

The only drawback in the short film is the manner in which Anupama’s character is shown complaining about her hectic lifestyle. Even though her husband gives her the freedom to do whatever she wants, she cribs about certain things that were not at all needed in the proceedings. The ending could have been explained in a better way.

Verdict :

On the whole, Freedom at midnight is a hard-hitting tale of emotions that a housewife goes through in real life. The short film has many contemporary issues that women can relate to and have been nicely narrated with a strong screenplay. Upon this, Anupama Parameswaran’s stunning act will leave you in awe of her making this a very interesting watch.

Rating: 3.25/5