It begins with two friends at a dining table, trying to fix a day for their drinks and dinner to celebrate one of them getting married. They cannot find any convenient date, because, due to sheer bad luck, there is a string of ‘Dry Days’ looming ahead. Dry Days are so named, in India, not because there is no rainfall on these days (there could be plenty of rain on a Dry Day) but because the Indian government bans the sale and consumption of alcohol on national and religious holidays, and during the elections.

Obviously, this stems from the logic that drinking alcohol on such days is likely to cause offence, show disrespect, prevent the making of sane decisions, or some, or all, of the above. The maker of the film, on the other hand, thinks that these bans are insane, as do many of his fellow Indians, and that is why he made the film. He also roundly condemns the licence and ban regime, which, hilariously, extends to screwdrivers in the film.

Screwdriver is a popular alcoholic cocktail, like Bloody Mary, and that is from where the title was likely poured out. But no, Mumbai-based Vikkramm Chandirramani has not made an ode to the spiritual uplifter. Rather, his Screwdriver is, literally, the thing that tightens, and also loosens, screws—of the ‘nut screws washers and bolts’ kind.

You might recall the old headline, often touted as one of the most curt, yet effective, and hilarious headlines, to grace a newspaper. I suspect the story is apocryphal, but never mind: After an incident (in the US of A, where else) in which a madman raped two female laundry workers and fled, one newspaper reported the incident as 'Nut screws washers and bolts!' Here, a screwdriver wielding serial-killer attracts the wrath of the political establishment, with the humble screwdriver being firstly banned and then heavily regulated, and even licensed.

Vikkramm is the son of journalist turned author/Feng Shui consultant Mohan Deep (MD), who confines his moniker to first name terms, and only a select few know that he is a Chandiramani. I have not seen anything made by Vikrramm before Screwdriver, and even this review is almost a year overdue. So my apologies.  Just over 13 minutes long, the film uses farce and black humour, besides the unavoidable double entendre and linguistic nuances. Characters are a blend of the man next-door and the stock caricature, as is the acting. Dialogue is a trifle contrived and the angles needed better matching for the editing table. Good and clever use is made of scarce resources. Using the push frame as the recurring editing crutch makes the film a little predictable. Taking on all possible duties, in addition to script and direction, Vikkramm bites off just a little more than he can chew. And we can only guess what or who Quest Mercury, read in the first frame, is.

Murder is not the theme of the film, but Vikkramm treats it too lightly, for no logical reason, and pushes it to the back-burner. At one point, he suggests suspense, but then just glides along. Looks tend to waver in direction, on some occasions. Actors are confident, nevertheless. There is no clarity on the location of the story, and the ambiguity works for the film. It is entertaining and funny, preaching and lampooning, in the same breath, especially the nerve-wracking red-tape and monitoring procedures laid down about acquiring and using a screwdriver. Going by an acronym used in the film on a couple of occasion, SUCKS, such short films need to reach the right audience, at the right times, and then ride their LUCKKS (the extra K is a là Vikkramm, numerology not being too far away from Feng Shui).

Disambiguation: The Screwdriver is the second animated cartoon short subject in the Woody Woodpecker series, released theatrically in1941, by Universal.

The Anu Malik clone is Dr. Rajesh Nahar, while his one scene screen-mate’s name is Asfar Adil. Routine to above par support comes from Preety Arora, Monika Sharma, Introducing Jagwir Walia, Rahul Singh and Abhishek Singh, Ravi Khengle, Rajendra Prasad, Sudhakar, Bharti Kumaria, Khagesh Vaidya, Deepak Daryani and Pramodini Jarad.

Screwdriver is a good first, low resource film. Some simulated, concealed off-camera movements, like the one when the protagonist is finally re-fixing his motor-cycle’s gear-lever, are well-though out. The suggested off-screen rampage, when the TV crew is filming, appears less convincing. The climax too is a bit of a let-down and appears to e a compromise against time and resources. Amateurish, yet promising, Screwdriver shows that the director has a lot more to learn about the nuts and bolts of the craft. For his, beginners’ level, he won’t disappoint many.

VC: (MD’s Venture Capital?) Before coming into films, Vikkramm started an internet company. Spent a couple of years learning the ropes of film-making, including directing and editing, by reading books, and watching videos and films. Got formally trained as an actor at Roshan Taneja Acting School, finalised Dr. Rajesh Nahar for the lead, having seen his work and knowing his flair for comedy. Cast Preety Arora opposite him because she was the quintessential Punjabi woman he was looking for. Favourites are Notting Hill, Forrest Gump, Castaway, Cinderella Man, Falling in Love, Raj Kapoor’s early films and even Roger Corman.

Rating: ** ½

Promo: https://youtu.be/ilU_TqoVghs