7 Star Dinosor Entertainment review: A penetrating and wistful look at the ordeal of migrants during lockdown

Imagine two tyrannosaurs dancing away merrily at an Indian wedding. Behind this unusual spectacle are the migrant brothers Sudhir (Kapil Dev) and Binod (Rahul Sahu), who live in Mumbai and delight in bringing the extinct creatures to life with their unique act. Taking inspiration from the Jurassic Park franchise, they perform at everything from mall events to birthday parties, busting a move to Hindi hits and garba numbers.

The duo's days were already lean but things get worse once COVID-19 hits the country, ushering in the lockdown. With nowhere to go and no source of income, the brothers are truly stranded.

Vaishali Naik’s debut short film, 7 Star Dinosor Entertainment, takes a sharp look into the hapless state that millions of migrant workers found themselves in once the lockdown was announced in 2020. Her fictional tale personalizes their plight, highlighting their loss of basic rights and total abandonment.

The 19-minute short film balances their story with humour and insight. We learn about the brothers’ challenges dealing with children while in costume and their many family members who are waiting for them back home as they field questions for a documentary crew.

The dinosaurs are an extension of the brothers, becoming their identity over the years. But as the walls close in and their supplies wane, survival instincts kick in and brothers turn on each another. They fight like dinosaurs; the sound effects mimic the noises the pre-historic beasts make.

Dev and Sahu highlight the older-younger brother dynamic ably. While they have their differences, they are united in their performances as entertainers. When it is taken away from them, they lose a part of themselves.

7 Star Dinosor Entertainment ends in a wistful manner as Swati Jain's cinematography captures a discarded moment that holds a lot of meaning for us and the characters. This is a story that countless Sudhirs and Binods must have lived.

7 Star Dinosor Entertainment was premiered at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, which was held from 21 to 27 June and is being screened playing at the London Indian Film Festival till 3 July.