Review: Next, Please

Today while dating, particularly in the online ecosystem, the personas people project onto the public are all too well-designed and complemented in principle. People curate idealized versions of themselves, seeking matches within a similar charade. Their overly staged interaction is an exhausting performance, a yearning for genuine desire and an attempt to forge a connection. Rishav Kapoor’s short film ‘Next Please’ is a scathing comment on how virtual human connections have become. The narrative beautifully captures the dynamic of performative dating: its exhaustion, its resultant loneliness—all set against the backdrop of virtual reality and cutting-edge technology. The unabashed declaration of persistent longing for a genuine soulmate is disarming.

As part of her virtual dating journey, a young woman, Arpita (Shreya Dhanwanthary), goes on a virtual date, where she is transported to a bar during the Prohibition era of the 50s. The owner (Jim Sarbh) of this virtual dating bar orchestrates these meetings using Virtual Reality technology. He matches her with another unfamiliar man, Vinay (Shardul Bhardwaj). As they interact, it is revealed that they are both seeking a romantic partner. But whether this virtual opportunity will help them find a suitable mate with whom they would like to spend their lives is what this short film explores.

The most intriguing and engaging aspects of Next Please emerge during Arpita and Vinay’s initial interaction. Arpita, a lonely woman seeking companionship, demonstrates a remarkable ability to process grief and loss, and a resilient approach to rejection. “You know, I just hate seeing all these happy couples everywhere,” she playfully confides in Vinay. While Arpita’s desire for a relationship appears more urgent than Vinay’s, and her nuanced understanding of human behavior introduces a bitter reality. As the viewer is drawn into the unique and evolving relationship between Arpita and Vinay, they are also confronted with a fundamental exploration of what it means to be an honest human.

The film unfolds in a non-sentimental way, subversively suggesting their relationship is part of an evolving and re-normalizing landscape: a world in which men and women increasingly have relationships with appearances that vary between the virtual and real worlds, and where the stigma is dwindling. It is an engaging narrative and that is not excruciatingly self-conscious, and does not wear its style on its sleeve; it's ingenious yet not contrived at all. It is one of those rare short films that knows how to utilize its narrative timeframe effectively.

The performances from Sarbh, Dhanwanthary, and Bhardwaj are extremely well-acted and emotionally powerful. The cinematography by Priya Seth, production design by Bodo-Anindya Chowdhury, Line Dori, and editing by Vedant Joshi, and sound design by Mohandas VP all contribute to a cohesive and impactful viewing experience.

‘Next Please’ feels unique and direct in ways that differ from other short films, and this directness happens, due to an unusual amount of spontaneity in the screenplay written by Chaitanya Tamhane, who is also the producer.

‘Next Please’ is available for viewing on YouTube, specifically on the Royal Stag Barrel Select Shorts channel.