The Shaila(s) review: Kaneez Surka's short film isn't applause-worthy but addresses an important issue

The Shaila(s) is a complicated story that could have been said beautifully.

Kaneez Surka in The Shaila(s).

The Shaila(S)

Story:

Lexi aka Lakshmi wants to organize a tea party and she needs a 'maid' for that reason. She finds a househelp in another woman named Lakshmi and forces her to change her name to Shaila. The story revolves around the two Lakshmi(s) who have become dependent on one another.

Review:

The Shaila(s) is a very complicated story. It isn't a tale that will please you or make you smile. The short film addresses how deeply rooted issues surrounding caste and class are, in our society.

The film begins on a powerful note. When a senior neighbour notices that a househelp has been travelling in the same lift as the 'upper-class people', she forces Lexi to ask her (to-be househelp) to return to the ground floor by stairs and travel in the lift marked 'exclusively for them'.

Soon, the viewers get to see a very uncomfortable journey - of how 'maid' creeps into everyday language, how Lexi forces 'Shaila' to give up on her identity and how the 'Shaila' doesn't enjoy any kind of privacy.

In a world of monochrome, the viewers get a glimpse of the dark and ancient times, in the upper-class society. This is an important message, for it shows the disparity between two people who deserve something as basic as respect.

However, the execution for The Shaila(s) could be better. Kaneez Surka talks in a broken Hindi language which is hard to grasp at some places.

Since the film mainly revolves around her, there isn't much that she could contribute to what is otherwise a powerful story. Kaneez doesn't bring much of her spontaneity or comic timing to the table with this story either.

Verdict:

It would be better to skip The Shaila(s) but take the message of the film seriously. The topic though could have been executed better to create a solid impact.

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Cast and Crew

Kaneez Surka