«Rat in the Kitchen» by Arkish Aftab

An atmosphere of eerie squalor and neglect, the degeneration of loneliness into disturbing mysteries and combined with stark realism constitute the murky appeal of “Rat in the Kitchen,” a short film directed by the talented Arkish Aftab that takes the audience on a descent into the dark corners of a broken man’s existence.

Set against the backdrop of a hectic Mumbai, this debut film examines the disheartening consequences of Vikram’s bitter separation from his wife. As he sinks into a life of neglect and alcoholism, Vikram’s world begins to unravel in unexpected ways. The disappearance of his food and the ransacking of his kitchen become disturbing indicators of an intruder infiltrating his home.
Believing he is dealing with a simple mouse problem, Vikram takes matters into his own hands and installs CCTV cameras throughout the house. Little does he know that what he is about to discover is far more bizarre than he can imagine.

“Rat in the Kitchen” offers a unique blend of psychological suspense and chilling revelations.
Arkish Aftab’s direction demonstrates his mastery of building tension and creating an unsettling atmosphere.
With a keen eye for detail and a deft narrative approach, Aftab invites viewers to question the boundaries between reality and the unknown. As the story unfolds a sense of seemingly unexplained dread grows, along with anticipation of the twist that awaits Vikram on his eerie journey.
Led by an intense performance from the lead actor, the already award-winning Mantra Mugdh, “Rat in the Kitchen” captures the essence of despair and vulnerability.

This modern retelling of a gothic ‘locked room’ tale uses metaphors of stark realism to narrate a contemporary human condition corroded by fear of loneliness and addictions, in which it is difficult not to mirror oneself at least in part.
But “Rat in the Kitchen” is also a testament to Arkish Aftab’s creative vision and promises to be a cinematic experience that will stick in the audience’s mind like a haunting, harassing noise.