Tarun Karthik

This documentary short explores the complex psychological landscape created by Instagram's "Close Friends Story”. The feature, originally designed for genuine intimacy and selective sharing, has evolved into a battleground of digital performance and anxiety. A tool designed for vulnerability instead forces us to "perform authenticity" for a smaller, designated audience, one that defines our in-groups and perpetuates connection, long after real-life relationships have drifted. Will the endless pursuit of digital intimacy ever teach us enough?

In this introspective exploration of identity and relationships, a young filmmaker reflects on the concept of being "two-faced," revealing that we all wear multiple masks depending on the situation. He identifies three key personas: the anxious individual, the creative force, and the playful spirit, each shaping his view of the world and his interactions with others.