- An interesting take on the modern-day concept of commitment, the short film revolves around a chance meeting between two strangers at a bar and their testy with ebbs and flows between flirtatious and moralistic conversation.
- Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films presents 'A Cheat Day' featuring Rajeev Siddhartha and Eisha A Chopra, an intriguing story that challenges the traditionally interchangeable notions of commitment and fidelity. Producer and Writer Mandhir Sahni with Co-Producer Anupma Gupta is back yet again with an interesting take on the modern-day concept of commitment through his next short film Directed by Gautam Arora. This short film revolves around a conversation between two strangers Maya and Chirag, who happen to have a chance meeting at a bar and how they lay bare both sides of this unconventional choice. The evening that ensues reveals two strikingly different perspectives towards commitment and fidelity and all that lies in between. A fascinating take on the evolving nature of commitment and how modern couples define what's ok and what's not in a relationship.Their fun filled, at times flirtatious and often testy banter puts the plot into context and brings forth a new perspective of what commitment could mean in a relationship. Just when you think Maya and Chirag have hit it off, the bittersweet ending of this movie that will surprise audiences with the depth of emotion it evokes.—Anupma Gupta- Co-Producer & Project Creative Head
- CHEAT DAY explores the rather unconventional dynamics of a couple in an open marriage albeit with their mutually acceptable boundaries. CHIRAG, a single and decently successful advertising executive, finds himself drawn into what seems like a harmless bar banter with a successful lawyer MAYA whilst unwinding after a long day at his favourite bar. Maya comes across as effortlessly attractive in the exchange with Chirag not so much from a physical attribute standpoint but more so in terms of the wit she displays during the conversation. With the drinks flowing, the conversation gets uninhibited with the passage of time bordering on downright flirtatious. Both Chirag and Maya are clearly enjoying themselves and revealing in this beautiful chance meeting - or so it seems to Chirag at least. This is until Chirag decides to look her up on FB while Maya is away for a washroom break. Chirag is surprised but not utterly shocked to learn of her marital status and decides to confront her about it right away. Maya doesn't shy away from the topic either and introduces Chirag to her " A Cheat Day" - an arrangement between her husband and herself wherein both of them are allowed a day each month wherein they can go explore life outside the confines of their marriage albeit with mutually acceptable boundaries. She even goes as far as drawing parallels with the cheat day concept as far as diet is concerned - the similarities are quite striking, at least in theory! This is a revelation for Chirag whose natural instinct is to challenge Maya on the moralistic front. What ensues is a fascinating back and forth dialog between Maya and Chirag that lays bare both sides to this unconventional choice - it's intriguing, gets testy, ebbs and flows between flirtatious and moralistic at times - as both of them take the conversation outside the confines of the bar walking the night away. Maya on her part is living her Cheat Day to the fullest while Chirag is playing his part in her doing so without fully realising the same. The night comes full circle as both admit their fascination for each other, despite their differences in opinion, and what could have been of the night if it wasn't A Cheat Day. That's where Maya's boundaries come into the picture. They part ways what with Chirag not knowing what to make of an absolute gem of an evening he's had and the conflicting emotions that come with it. Maya on her part has a wry smile on her face with the evening having tested her boundaries around the Cheat Day. The story ends with Maya returning to her house to a half-asleep husband enquiring how the Cheat Day went and she simply responding with a wry smile. As Maya is changing for bed, we hear a beep on her phone, it's a friend request notification from none other than Chirag. Maya goes to decline the request and then pauses... then switches her mind and is about to accept.. and then pauses again.. taps her phone with those well-done nails for a bit and .....!!!
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