Write a short summary of what happens in the film

The film opens on what seems like a normal day during the pandemic with a woman coming back home from a grocery run. We see her visibly agitated as she is putting away the things and while we can’t see her face because of her stole worn as a mask, we see her eyes filled with despair as the news reports an extension in the lockdown. She starts unwrapping the stole around her face as the broadcast drones on and to our horror we see a bruised and battered visage, the reporter’s voice becoming audible to deliver the irony that ends the telecast on “Stay home, stay safe”. Suddenly we hear a loud shatter to indicate the presence of the abuser as the woman turns her head towards the noise, a lone and hapless tear rolling down. Her Silent Cry for help is followed by the Whatsapp Helpline on screen.

Cultural / Context information for the jury

While everyone was looking at the pandemic, we looked at the side-effects of the pandemic that had not come to light, by taking on a problem that was hiding in the homes, and setting the narrative against the Covid 19 Pandemic. We also leveraged WhatsApp through a Whatsapp Helpline for its ability to not just reach people but offer help to women in a more discreet and safe manner while they were trapped with their abusers. so this way, we targeted both the people who needed to be made aware that there was help and the people who were in a position to help. It was designed to address the issue of safety and confidentiality during the lockdown and even after, when stay at home, work from home and social distancing continued to make the solution relevant. Issues like Domestic Violence always take on new forms, keeping the Helpline relevant.

Explain how the work innovatively used the film medium.

A HELPLINE HIDDEN IN A WHATSAPP VIDEO. The film was primarily pushed on WhatsApp, the most used Social platform by families in India. Secondary release: all social media video platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Local Cable Channels First launched: National Lockdown on 01 May, 2020 across WhatsApp Groups. Secondary Release from May - Dec 2020 across other Channels. Its relevance continues shared and forwarded through the pandemic The impact was achieved on a local and national scale. The film reached out to women with a message of empathy and safety to let them know their situation was not lost. The Helpline received more than 9600 calls because it was a safe way to reach out for help during the pandemic while trapped at home with their abusers. Following the reveal of the marks of abuse behind the mask, her silent cry for help is followed by the Whatsapp Helpline.