Ahh, i finally am critiquing a movie after a long time. The last time i sat was for "My name is K...". So i saw "Peepli Live" last Sunday with a friend. The only thing i knew was this wasn't a big budget film with character actors in it. And for a change, i wanted to see a film far away from the latka-jatkas of Bollywood entertainers. Knowing this was an Amir Khan production, i thought i give it a shot and watch the film. The trailer seemed funny with an emotional dram touch.
This is Anusha Rizvi's first film as a director and i am not saying it was a masterpiece. However, the subject of farmers committing suicide in an Indian state when they cannot pay the loan back is real and the author has presented the story with a dark humor. Omkar Das as "Natha" and Raghuvir Yadav as "Budhia" play fantastic roles as village farmers. Constantly being nagged by his wife and mother, Natha is convinced by his brother Budhia to commit suicide and the money from his death will save their farmland. When the media hears this, big news stations reach this small far village "Peepli" and 24 hrs there is constant vigil by media/police on Natha's family. The movie becomes interesting when the whole issue is politicized.
Indian politicians, media, central/state government, poor villagers and people like Natha and budhia are all mockery of one single system and this happens. The film does exaggerate in few instances when Media just blows any kind of false information they can get their hands on and turning the lives of Natha and Budhia upside down. How Indian politicians can extend hands for vote bank in the wake of adversary. That government plans exist but not implemented at the lowest level to reach farmers like Natha and Budhia is disheartening. The film tries to satirically present its agenda with a good direction as the movie never felt like lost its course. The audience can stay gasping as to what would be coming next. Shalini Vyas or Dhaniya plays a good supporting actress as the wife of Natha. This movie is definitely an eyeopener to people and citizens across India or Outside and laments the fact that how top officials and bureaucrats misuse their authority and position and thereby no help can reach a section of society that most needs it.
Am glad i watched the movie. It was well made and everyone played a good justifiable role. For the script/direction/production/acting, i'll rate the movie 8/10. I just hope the Indian government wakes up......Go watch it !
