CHASHMA (BLIND SPOT): A Coming-of-Age Short Film That Sees What India Couldn’t in 1992
Keywords: Short film 2025, Indian short film, religious tensions in India, films about childhood, Babri Masjid film, coming-of-age Indian films, Nitin Baid director, best Indian short films, films on bias and perception, socio-political Indian cinema
What Is CHASHMA (BLIND SPOT)?
CHASHMA (BLIND SPOT) is not just a short film — it’s a mirror to a nation’s collective past and a young boy’s awakening. Set during one of the most politically sensitive periods in Indian history — following the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992 — this 14-minute cinematic experience takes you on an emotional journey through the eyes of Supriyo, an 11-year-old boy struggling with poor vision.
But this isn’t just a story about eyesight. It’s a powerful metaphor for India’s own blind spots — in society, in identity, in religion, and in history.
The Story Behind the Vision
Director Nitin Baid, a celebrated editor known for his work on Masaan and Homebound, makes a soul-stirring directorial debut with CHASHMA. Inspired by his own childhood in 1990s Calcutta, Baid uses Supriyo’s blurry vision as a metaphor to explore how perception is shaped by fear, bias, and socio-political chaos.
When Supriyo becomes a witness to a conflict between two classmates from different religious communities, he is forced to choose a side — an act that will challenge not just his eyesight, but his insight into identity, belonging, and truth.
Why CHASHMA (BLIND SPOT) Matters Today
Relevant Themes: With global conversations about identity, bias, and perception, the film resonates beyond borders. It asks: Do we really see the world as it is, or only as we’ve been taught to see it?
Historical Context: Set during the 1992 Hindu-Muslim riots following the Babri Masjid demolition, it provides a rarely seen, child-centric perspective on one of India’s most traumatic events.
Personal Truths: Baid’s autobiographical touch makes this a universal story — of childhood fear, peer pressure, and growing up in a divided world.
A Film About Bias, Blindness, and Belonging
Supriyo’s struggle isn’t just physical. His internal conflict — whether to speak the truth or stay silent — reflects the silence of a nation. The metaphor of blindness is not just medical but social and emotional, representing the selective vision that many communities adopt during times of crisis.
This short film asks profound questions:
What do we choose not to see?
Who do we choose not to understand?
And how much of what we “know” is shaped by inherited fear?
Key Details at a Glance
Title – CHASHMA (BLIND SPOT)
Director – Nitin Baid
Writer = Varun Grover (Sacred Games, Masaan)
Cast = Ayan Khan (as Supriyo), Konkona Sen Sharma (as Aarti)
Runtime = 14 minutes 53 seconds
Genre Drama, Coming-of-Age, Children
Language = Hindi
Country = India
Completion Date = September 20, 2024
Shooting Format Digital
Aspect Ratio 1.66:1
Production Budget = $45,000 USD
Where to Watch CHASHMA (BLIND SPOT)
Stay tuned for upcoming film festival announcements and streaming releases in 2025. With its Cannes pedigree (Homebound), international editing acclaim, and powerful storytelling, CHASHMA is expected to be a festival circuit favorite.
👁️ About Director Nitin Baid
Nitin Baid is a first-time director but a veteran editor. He was the first Indian editor selected for the Berlinale Talent Campus and a member of the international editing jury at Edimotion 2023. His editing credits include:
Masaan (Cannes 2015)
Homebound (Cannes 2025, Executive Producer: Martin Scorsese)
With CHASHMA, Baid transitions from the edit table to the director’s chair with sensitivity and authenticity, making it one of the most anticipated Indian short films of the year.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Film
CHASHMA (BLIND SPOT) invites viewers to not just watch a story, but reflect on their own unseen biases and inherited divisions. It’s a story for every country, every community, and every child who has ever been forced to choose a side.
