Peepli Live - A Review By Jaik M

One gets into a film theatre these days expecting the predictable graphics and special effects which has become the norm of Bollywood films. Wafer thin story garnished with beautiful sets and skimpy clad heroines with sizzling scenes doing its rounds in TV channels and not to mention the ever happening gossip columns. Films which has the potential to speak the language of the people had at times forgotten the alphabets. I entered the hall with of course some expectation after all this is one from the stable of Amir Khan Productions the guy who has stood the test of time managing to give products that speak the language quite clearly.

“Peepli Live” the film starts off and the title rolls not when the hero walks in with a bunch of heroines, but when the protagonist who is travelling in an auto rick pukes outside. I decided am in for a ride and from then on the director Anusha Rizvi has steered the film to dizzying heights of technique and art. The color, sweat, the monologues, constant ramblings of the old lady set the mood and tone of the village “Peepli”. The plot of the story is quite simple it deals with the Farmer suicide that is happening in India. Natha and Budhia are two farmers who are unable to pay government loan. They decide to commit suicide as per the advice of a local politician in the village. Their decision is leaked to the media and the resulting chaos is that Natha becomes the story of every news channel.

Cinematography is handled by Shanker Raman who shows us the solid colors of the village and blend it into a heady mix of ingredients giving us what feels real. The actors Omkar Das (Natha) and (Budhia) Raghuvir do not act but they live the life of farmers. Its flawless performance with the entire cast bringing out the seamless flow of Film Language. One important aspect of the film is the way media is made fun of in every frame. There are realistic and exaggerated scenes where journalists do anything for the sake of TRP ratings. The Fourth Estate in our country the Press is the vital backbone and I just couldn’t resist wondering the look on every journalist face after viewing this movie.

Few hours spent with the villagers will make anyone coming out of the hall thinking about the state of agriculture in our country. The film as it flows takes every viewer into the rustic corridors of Peepli and if the journey wakes up even a few, it will be an achievement for the entire team involved in carving this piece. Deep down I did feel the thirst for many more films like this that could communicate using this beautiful language “Cinema”.