Céline Roustan
Eight years ago, New Years Eve premiered on Short of the Week. Today, we’re delighted to welcome filmmaker Pranav Bhasin back with his latest short, We Were Here, a frontrunner in the Best Live Action Short Film race at the 2027 Oscars. A sharp, satirical take on an all-too-real and increasingly dark topic – the prospect of AI taking over – Bhasin crafts a mockumentary centred on three men fighting to take back jobs from machines!
“I just got excited by the idea of someone fighting against it in any way they can”
Bhasin candidly shared that “when buzz around AI getting ‘better-than-human’ had just begun, I was thinking it would just be impossible to tackle. Because (…), where I’m from, the lack of jobs had already been a problem for more than a decade”. Disheartened by how readily people around him had accepted that AI would replace humans, he “got excited by the idea of someone fighting against it in any way they can”. He later explained that the relationships uncles share with one another and their families were also an inspiration, prompting him to “authentically honour their existence”. This ultimately led him to develop the story and its three protagonists, using the mockumentary genre to heighten its satirical elements.
The writing is incredibly sharp, full of witty observations and, in keeping with the film’s sense of humour, delightfully funny situations and dialogue. The comedy is so effective because of how cleverly Bhasin uses absurdity. From making three retired uncles the protagonists to setting the film in an environment full of mundanity and in a community where people still rely on one another, every detail helps ground the story. The intrusion of technology, and the uncles’ reaction to it, becomes all the more hilarious as a result.
“Once the thrill of the initial joke settled, I found myself falling in love with the relationships these uncles shared with each other and with their families.” – Bhasin on his ambitions for the film
The impressive production values echo the sensationalized documentaries available on streaming platforms, making the film’s satirical layer even more compelling and convincing. Shot by Rajiv Malu and edited by Pralay Valanju, the visual style and pacing contribute heavily to the film’s comedic power. With a score composed by Yash Sahai, the audience really feels as though it is tagging along for the ride.
The actors came from all over India, handpicked by casting director Sumit Attri, and their chemistry brings so much charm and warmth to the film. Alongside the rest of the ensemble, they share impeccable comic timing, whether in their delivery or facial reactions. Bhasin confessed that he gave his actors room to improvise, embracing moments that create a little movie magic and feel like hilarious cherries on top of an already deliciously entertaining cake.
A festival darling of the 2026 season, We Were Here picked up awards at Clermont-Ferrand, SXSW, the Palm Springs ShortFest, Drama and Indy Shorts, to name just a few, and its festival journey continues. The film recently made its online debut through The New Yorker and, as previously mentioned, is an FYC title in the Best Live Action Short Film category. Bhasin is currently developing his feature debut, Bombay Infinity.