Tanishaa Mukerji is all set for her maiden short film outing, with writer-director Vikram Razdan’s Life Is Short. The Sarkar actress will be seen as a delusional diva, Debika, in the project that will open today at the International Film Festival of India’s (IFFI, being held in Goa) NFDC Film Bazaar. The movie also features character actor Lilliput of sitcom Dekh Bhai Dekh fame as Debika’s meek manager, Abdul. Their dramatic duels climax into an edge-of-the-seat ending.

When asked if she drew inspiration from a real-life movie personality, Tanishaa said, “Though I have often heard sordid stories of many a schizophrenic superstars, I definitely haven’t aped any such actor whilst enacting Debika. But, yes, this is the first time I have played a dark and delusional character, and that’s what attracted me to the part.”

The actress in a still from Life Is Short

Vikram avers about his venture set against the backdrop of showbiz, “Words can be more brutal than bullets. While the latter can kill, the former can destroy those targeted. Life Is Short is a story that needed to be told, lest mortals who are revered, start believing they are Gods; conveniently forgetting that life is short.” Lilliput adds, “Life Is Short touched a personal chord with me and I empathised with the character.”