A Note By Dear Friend Regarding Short Film “SAMOSA”

*Disclaimer – My reviews reflect only my personal opinions as a viewer, and I will not discourage anyone from seeing a film as we all have different sensibilities. I just write these as a platform to voice my honest thoughts on the films that I see. Also, I welcome any comments and thoughts anyone may have.
Often times some of the most true to life and simple incidents that happen in our life end up being the most memorable and interesting. The short film SAMOSA directed by Vick Krishna and starring Jyoti Singh, Gauri Singh, and Sherry Martinez, is a glittering example of just that adage.
Everyone one of us has at some point in time lived with a roommate. We try to adjust to their particulars, and they ours. But what happens when you room with someone whom seems a bit humorously strange? How do you deal with a situation like that? These are precisely the questions SAMOSA puts forth.
The film tells the story of Gauri (Gauri Singh) who moves into a new apartment in Queens, which is already occupied by an eccentric but jolly Indian tenant Preet (Jyoti Singh). At first, Gauri and Preet get along fine, doing various activities together, bonding over snacks etc. When Gauri decides that she needs to move out, a funny turn of events occurs which forms the remaining crux of the film.
Each one of the performances in this hilarious film are incredible. Gauri Singh is a complete natural before the camera and you can see the sincere expressions of surprise on her face when she sees some of Preet’s quirks. Jyoti Singh is simply wonderful as Preet, particularly in the scene when she explains her philosophy on how to deal with boyfriends. That is one of the scenes that surely brings the house down. Sherry Martinez as Gauri’s friend steals the show in the climax. Without revealing why, one just has to witness the energy in that performance to understand its amazing quality.
All of this, of course, is the product of good direction and a good script. Vick Krishna has not only brought out great performances from the cast, but also has created a visual atmosphere which seems very believable and real with the right lighting/color scheme. You can almost see this playing out in your own apartment. Gauri Singh, in addition to being one of the leads, has written a tight script which balances emotions naturally. Not once does anything lag and the pacing moves very well.
All in all, SAMOSA is a sweet, funny, slice of life comedy that must be seen. If you have the opportunity to see it, don’t miss it!
Congratulations to the whole cast and crew for a job well done and for winning an award for “Best Short South East Asian Film” award at the World Music and Independent Film Festival (WMIFF).