- The actor turned director showcases the story of a woman who chooses to be recognized by her relationships, but an unprecedented situation allows her to rediscover herself amid the chaos
Kolkata, July 23, 2021: Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films presents the National Award-winning actor Shefali Shah’s second directorial venture ‘Happy Birthday Mummyji’, a Sunshine Pictures Pvt Ltd. production. The critically acclaimed actor chronicles the story of a woman, played by Shefali Shah, who chooses to be recognised by her relationships. A doting mother, a loving wife, a dutiful daughter-in-law, a choice she has happily made throughout her life. Owing to the unprecedented situation brought upon by the pandemic, she is suddenly forced to stay away from her loved ones. Amid this chaos, to her own surprise, she rediscovers the one person she stayed away from for the longest time and starts an unapologetic love affair, with herself.
A novel take on accessing self-worth, ‘Happy Birthday Mummyji’ is a perfect short film showcasing how isolation induced by the pandemic has been a boon for many. The movie accurately captures the myriad emotions a woman goes through in her post-marriage life due to the default expectation setting of the society. Through this masterpiece, Shefali Shah has beautifully displayed how years of unattended emotions when suddenly take the front seat can take one on an undiscovered journey of a lifetime.
Talking about ‘Happy Birthday Mummyji’, Shefali Shah says, “This is an important story for me to tell my audience. During the lockdown or even otherwise I have felt the strong need to let go of all responsibilities. And I’m sure everyone has at some point of time or the other felt the same. The COVID-led lockdown rubbed into our faces the strong sense of isolation, but what if there was a different take on it. What if isolation didn’t mean being lonely. What if at some point of time distance from people we love and relationships we have created is exactly what we need. And even if it comes unintended or unexpected what if that’s what it takes you to recognise and side yourself better. Happy birthday mummyji is a story of self-realisation, self-acceptance and ‘me time’ we all so crave for. This is my story as much as it could be anyone else’s. More relatable than one can imagine. Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films is the perfect platform for narrating such stories of honesty, relatability and feelings we may or may not choose to express otherwise, taking it to a larger contemporary audience.”
Talking about the movie further, she added, “What everyone will take away from the film is their own choice. All I know is sugar coated quinones are easier to swallow and hence this take on the film rather than a moral of the story.
‘Happy Birthday Mummyji’ is Shefali Shah’s second collaboration with the platform. In 2017, Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films presented the critically acclaimed short film, ‘Juice’ with Shefali Shah in the lead. The film was honored with the ‘Best Short Film’ award in the fiction category by Filmfare. The enigmatic actor turned Director also bagged the Best Actress Female for her power-packed performance in the short film.
The movie will be first exclusively premiered on Royal Stag Barrel Select’s Large Short Films website – www.thelargeshortfilms.com, a platform to watch the most original and inspiring short films made by some of the finest directors in India.
WATCH ‘Happy Birthday Mummyji’ HERE: https://youtu.be/Sgi8Vy2Y_Dw