Bittu Review: Karishma Dev Dube's Student Academy winner short film offers a heartbreaking tale on loss of friendship

By Rashita Sahni

on February 04, 2021 02:05:25 PM

Short Film: Bittu

Cast: Rani Kumari and Renu Kumari

Director: Karishma Dev Dube

Duration: 16 m 57 s

Rating: 4 Moons

Ekta Kapoor, Guneet Monga, Tahira Kashyap Khurrana and Ruchikaa Kapoor's Indian Women Rising's maiden project Bittu, a Student Academy Awardee is soaring high with its run for Oscars in the Short Film Category. Directed by Karishma Dev Dube, Bittu is a heart-tugging tale of two young girls played by Rani Kumari and Renu Kumari. Inspired by a real incident of accidental poisoning that took place in a government school in Bihar, the short film follows a headstrong girl, Bittu, whose life is changed irrevocably in an instant.

Set in a village in the hills, the film starts with Bittu (Renu Kumari), an unkempt headstrong girl who is friends with Chand (Rani Kumari). Together, they play, dance and sometimes fight too. Best friends in crime, they also sing trashy songs for bystanders to make quick money. But Bittu isn’t so smart at school and when Chand joins the other students in laughing at her lack of knowledge, she cannot control her anger and hits back. Bittu is punished by the principal but refuses to listen to her teacher and apologize for her behaviour. And then, a seemingly ordinary day turns tragic.

Bittu comes across as a poignant film about the loss of friendship at a very young age. It has no glamour, big lavish sets or a grand star cast but who says good films need any of these? Bittu is an emotional tale that will make your heart pain a little and face smile a little more.

The performances of the children are the strength of the film, especially the free-spirited character of Bittu, played phenomenally well by Renu Kumari. Rani Kumari as Chand complements Bittu's character in the film, making it look even more realistic. Even with not many dialogues to offer, Renu and Rani manage to lift up the film to perfection with their screen presence and expressions.

Director Karishma brings her vision to screen with much perfection. Her direction is smooth and her writing excellent. From casting children amongst the valleys of the Himalayas to shooting against the backdrop of the mountains, the film offers a visually aesthetic as well as an authentic experience, all thanks to cinematographer Shreya Dev Dube and director Karishma. Brownie points to hair and makeup artist Shaivi Verma for getting the realistic shabby look of school kids.

Watch Bittu for these two ordinary girls upholding their extraordinary friendship!