The lockdown has given rise to some innovations in the narrative form, with Netflix now trying to make the most of it with its latest anthology, Home Series, a collection of four short films. The anthology captures four different stories where people try to cope with the unexpected events that changes their life during the lockdown.
Directed by Anubhuti Kashyap, Sahirr Sethhi, Tanvi Gandhi, and Ashwin Laxmi Narayan, the series will stream on Netflix's YouTube channel from 12 June onwards.
The trailer is a montage of shots that captures the basic idea of each story. The first story, Out WIth It, features Arjun Mathur as the germaphobe trying to cope with the threat of the pandemic while his friends keep trying to get him to step out of his house. Even as he battles his personal fear, there is also the urge to finally break free. But whether the lockdown is the right time to do so or not, remains to be seen.
The second short, WIll You Be My Quarantine? is a more interesting concept featuring Saba Azad and Imaad Shah, as an unfortunate couple whose one-night stand has been unexpectedly extended into three weeks of forced living. With planned relationships falling apart, the two might have to discover a new way to deal with each other's awkward presence.
The trailer begins with the sight of Tanmay Dhanania who plays a food delivery executive making vlogs to cope with his work in the lockdown. His experience with people, and their reactions through the trying period is the subject of the thits story.
The last story belongs to Apoorva Arora and Veer Rajwant Singh's soon-to-be-married couple, who are now separated by the lockdown. With the overbearing father, played by Rakesh Bedi, looking over their shoulder, the duo decide to go through their wedding rituals through video calls resulting in some hilarious adventures.
Interestingly compiled, the anthology is a collection of shorts that might make for a riveting experience in this dry period before films begin to arrive in theatres.
The Home Stories anthology is the third such collection by Netflix, after Lust Stories (2018) and Ghost Stories (2020).