Analysis of Similar Films, Themes, and Conventions

When creating my film opening, I knew it had to make a statement, evoke emotion, and leave the audience with a lingering unease. To achieve this, I looked at other films that tackled similar social issues, psychological struggles, and surreal storytelling techniques. Analyzing these films helped me refine my approach, ensuring that my film fit within a broader cinematic tradition while maintaining its own unique voice.

Themes: Honour, Morality, and Hypocrisy in Society

At its core, Shaam explores the clash between morality and societal hypocrisy, particularly within honour culture. Several films have touched on this, each in their own powerful way.

Bol (2011, Pakistan) – This film masterfully critiques patriarchy, honour culture, and the oppression of women, much like Shaahm. The way it exposes societal double standards deeply resonated with me, reinforcing my belief that films like these are necessary.

Khamosh Pani (2003, Pakistan/India) – A gripping story about a mother and son torn apart by the weight of tradition and societal pressure. This film’s slow-burn tension and emotional depth inspired the way I built Shaam’s atmosphere.

Talvar (2015, India) – Based on a real-life case, this film highlights how morality is often distorted by perception, a central idea in Shaam, where Ali does the right thing but is still treated as an outcast.

These films confirmed that Shaahm’s theme was relevant and important, and they helped me refine the way I approached it.

Psychological & Surreal Influences

Since Shaam heavily relies on paranoia, guilt, and fragmented reality, I turned to psychological thrillers that blur the line between the real and the imagined.

• The Lighthouse (2019) – This film explores isolation and guilt, trapping its protagonist in an eerie, desolate setting just like Ali’s self-imposed exile at the farmhouse. The use of claustrophobic tension and a surreal soundscape inspired the way I structured Shaam’s eerie atmosphere.
• Nocturnal Animals (2016) – A haunting, fragmented narrative that weaves together past trauma and psychological distress. The way the film creates unease through sound and slow-building tension played a huge role in how I designed Shaam’s distorted whispers and fragmented flashbacks.

By analyzing these films, I realized that Shaam wasn’t just a drama it had psychological thriller elements, making it more immersive and emotionally intense.

Cinematic Conventions & Techniques

Beyond storytelling, I wanted Shaam to have a distinct visual and auditory language—one that heightened its themes of guilt and paranoia. Many of these techniques were inspired by films I studied:

• Sound Design – In The Lighthouse, distorted sound design plays a key role in portraying the character’s descent into madness. Similarly, in Shaam, I used a rhythmic, distorted heartbeat, whispers, and echoes of a woman’s cries for help to keep the audience unsettled.
• Visual Storytelling – Many psychological dramas use small, unsettling details to build tension. In Shaam, I incorporated visuals like a trembling glass of water, a swinging rope, and scattered  newspaper clippings to create unease. While I originally planned to include a mirror reflection looking away from Ali, I ultimately decided against it, as I wanted to keep the surrealism more subtle. (and I couldn't really figure out how to edit it perfectly so it would make sense to the audience) 
• Symbolism & Motifs – Like Bol and Khamosh Pani, I used powerful visual symbols to enhance Shaam’s themes. The flame consuming the dupatta in the flashback scene represents destruction, honour, and loss, while the woman’s dupatta swaying in the wind serves as a haunting reminder of her absence. Although I initially considered a flickering lantern in the final scene, I chose not to include it, focusing instead on the eerie stillness of the moment.

Conclusion: What Makes Shaahm Unique?

While Shaam takes inspiration from these films, it stands apart in its execution. Unlike traditional social dramas, it blends psychological thriller elements with real-world issues, creating an experience that is both emotionally intense and visually unsettling. The choice to keep the story ambiguous challenges the audience to think beyond black and white morality and question their own biases.

By studying similar films, I was able to shape Shaam into something both familiar and original. A film that doesn’t just tell a story but leaves a lasting impact.