Jithin Muhammed’s short film ‘Badar’ discusses the impact of lockdown on children’s mental health

Jithin, son of veteran playwright KT Muhammed and actor Zeenath, makes his debut with the Malayalam short film

‘The names are made up, but the problem is real’. Jithin Muhammed’s short film, Badar, begins with this disclaimer. The first-time director talks about a subject that was widely discussed during lockdown — children’s mental health.

Badar, the titular character, is a young boy who lives with his parents in an apartment. Due to lockdown, he is forced to be indoors and his world now revolves around online classes and playing video games on the laptop and his father’s phone.

His downcast mood changes when he meets a cute little neighbour, a young girl, Ambili. They become friends over conversations across their balconies. He looks forward to speak with her every day... but viewers are in for a shock when they realise who Ambili really is.