Bhawana Somaaya

This week has two releases. The much talked about Peepli Live and Bobby Deol starrer Helpline. I dislike horror films so I will only talk about the first.

Aamir Khan Productions Peepli Live is the story of two brothers and farmers Natha and Budhia who unable to pay a government loan have lost their land. They seek the help of a local politician who suggests that the only way to recover their losses is if one of them commits suicide because a newly established government scheme aids the families of indebted farmers who have killed themselves. The brothers are tempted by the idea and elder brother Budhia inspires younger brother Natha to end his life for the good of the large family.

Their drunken conversation in a bar is overheard by a journalist and makes morning headlines. The news story sparks a chain of events and challenges India’s political machinery. What makes Peepli Live special is that it takes a burning issue and turns it into a political satire sprinkled with drama, wit and humour. It is not just a deliciously written story by Anusha Rizvi or an unusual format but reflects a consumerist, callous society made up of ambitious politicians, indifferent citizens and unethical journalists. It is about a changing rural and sinking urban India.

Made on a shoe string budget already recovered via music and satellite rights the film is shot on real locations. Full marks to cinematographer/ Shankar Raman, production design/ Suman Ray Mahapata, costumes/ Maxima Basu, music/ Mathias Duplessy and pungent, peppy dialogues/ Anusha- Faroqui. This is easily the most perfectly cast film of the year by Sudhir Chohey comprising mostly newcomers-Omkar Das Manikpuri, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Shalini Vatsa, Farrukh Jaffer, Malaika Shenoy with the exception of Raghuvir Yadav and Nasseruddin Shah in a cameo.

The actors dissolve into their characters and surroundings and it is often difficult to determine whether it is a feature film or a docudrama.Usually such realistic portrayals tend to get pedantic and boring but Peepli Live proves to be thoroughly entertaining. Usually films with tongue lashing dialogues and abusive language tend to become offensive, Peepli Live makes you crack up particularly when the old woman rises from her bed to lash out at the family. Usually films profiling professionals become didatic but Peepli Live makes us- the media look into ourselves and do some serious soul searching!

This film could only have been directed by a media member- Anusha Rizvi and backed by a courageous producer- Aamir Khan. Go for it- it is more than worth it for the spectacular ensemble performances, the lively songs, an absolutely original soundtrack but most important for a new vision and a new tradition in Hindi cinema.

Bhawana Somaaya
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