5 Directors, 5 Stories, 10 Characters. This anthology that revolves around the lockdown, is not only relatable but deeply philosophical. The rich, the middle-class, the poor… the pandemic affected all differently and this film gives you a slice from every boat. Unpaused is meaningfully written and gives out life lessons while making you smile. It is definitely a must-watch!

This anthology consists of 5 shorts directed by 5 directors as followed:
1. The Glitch: Directed by Raj & DK is a science-fiction short that is set 10 years from now contemplating how the lives of humans and especially the dating scenes are given the constant threat of viruses.

2. The Apartment: Directed by Nikhil Advani, this short with the theme of Suicide Prevention hits you hard. The dialogues are beautifully written and the message is accurately delivered. The performances by Richa Chadda and Ishwak Singh are mind-blowing.

3. Rat-A-Tat: A simple and heartwarming story of a girl getting locked down with an apparently rude and mean older woman. The storyline, though very straight, is able to resonate and connect with you on an emotional level. It was so good to see Lillete Dubey on screen after so long!

4. Vishanu: This short takes on how the lives of Migrant Laborers were affected owing to the lockdown. Stuck in Bombay, and sneakingly living in the Sample Flat of a 5 Star unfinished building, a poor family is waiting to go back home. The best part about this short is how the ‘Tik-Tok’ scene has been used to add quirk to the plot.

5. Chand Mubarak: This short directed by Nitya Mehra takes a very philosophical route. The lonely rich without a family and the isolated auto-driver who though stranded away from his family isn’t really alone as at least he has a family. The way they connect and go on this little journey of self-finding is beautiful to see.

Some time ago, Netflix had released a similar anthology, “Home Stories”, based on stories developed and shot in and around the lockdown. If you enjoyed watching that, I am sure you’d love this too. Also, special mention of the background score and soundtrack of Unpaused. Especially ‘Ummed Hai’ and ‘Nayi Dhoop’ will fill you with a fresh beam of hope and positive vibes!