With the first spell of rain, they start preparations for sowing, but all their hard work is at the mercy of nature. They take loans and work hard to dig a well, but whether they will get water is again nature’s will. Again taking loans, they stand in long queues to purchase firtilizers, but are at the mercy of corrupt officials. They send their kids to schools and educate them by skipping meals, but whether their children will get jobs is another story altogether. Farmers in Maharashtra are facing life-and-death crisis due to the unpardonable negligence of the government, political leaders, bureaucrats, and most lamentably, us - their brothers in urban areas.
The story is ‘small’ and simple. A farmer - loads of loans - untimely rains - re-sowing - disappointment - despair - and suicide. But when the same story repeats itself more than ten thousand times in five years, it becomes a disaster. Maharashtra, especially Vidarbha, is witnessing the same disaster year after year. Government undertakes surveys, NGOs collect data, and administration announces packages based on these statistics. But do we really know what can compel a man to take his own life? No one takes into consideration the humiliation farmers face again and again, for growing crops - that too, just for pursuing their occupation, and feeding the nation. No one thinks about the compromise farmers make with their self-respect day in and day out at the hands of government ‘babus’, bank employees, and even low key staffers.
When sensitive hearts of artists like Sayaji Shinde, Nagesh Bhonsale, Makarand Anaspure listen to the call of social responsibility, a film like ‘Goshta Chhoti Dongarayewadhi’ is born. Simply put, it is an outburst of the misery that farmers in Vidarbha are facing since last many years.
A production of Pentagon House, a joint venture of actors Makarand Anaspure, Nagesh Bhonsale,Sayaji Shinde,noted cinematographer Suresh Suvarna and Laxmikant Khabaria, the film was released in Western Maharashtra last week, where it received overwhelming response.
Prof Machhindra Chatey of Deoyani Movies, which is distributing the film, has announced to donate all money earned from the film for education of farmers’ wards. This social touch makes it a ‘commercial’ ‘art’ film.
The star cast includes Makarand Anaspure, Sayaji Shinde, Madhu Kambikar, and director Nagesh Bhonsale, with the legendary Nilu Phuley in one of his last performances. The film has a serious tone throughout, keeping in mind the gravity of the issue. The story is of any and every village of Vidarbha. Educated young farmers facing crisis - their helplessness in face of natural and administrative whim - and a suicide. Nandu (Nagesh Bhonsale), a debt-ridden farmer and his friend Rajaram Pawar (Makarand Anasapure) are struggling to make two ends meet. Trapped by destiny, Nandu commits suicide. This tragedy brings a brainstorm in Rajaram’s mind. He decides to make the leaders and bureaucrats aware of farmers’ pains, by speaking in the language they understand. Rajaram kidnaps the Agriculture Minister (Sayaji Shinde) and shows him the harsh reality of a village. How Rajaram manages to kidnap a minister with ‘Z plus’ security is interestingly depicted. The actors, all veterans in their own right, do complete justice to their roles.
The thing which relates us more to the film is the character sketches by story-screenplay and dialogue writer, Shyam Pethkar. This Vidarbha-based journalist-turned-playwright sensitively pens all the nuances and pains of farmers’ lives. Pethkar’s study of plight of farmers, and his observation is revealed from time to time during the film. His stellar touch can be seen in the character of Nilu Phuley, an elderly farmer who loses his young son. His dialogues bring tears to the eyes, also bring on the smiles and most importantly, make us think. All urban youths should go and watch this film to know the naked reality of the village and predicament of farmers.
The background music by Shailendra Barve is appreciable and remains with you long after the movie ends. The film has a four-liner sung by Nagesh Bhonsale and another four lines by Shahir Vitthal Umap. These lines are used with great impact with the background music, a new experiment in Marathi films. Following the lines of Shwas, and Dombiwali Fast, the film is sure to grab several awards for both its hard-hitting theme and excellent performances.
A must watch for people who appreciate changing trends in Marathi cinema.
If villages are facing tragedy, the least urban educated people like us, living in luxury, can do is go to cinema halls to know the facts. A thought-provoking, excellent film after a long time.
