A political family. A murder that draws inspiration from the real life assassination of Indira Gandhi and a subsequent power struggle to fill in the void left behind. The elements form the plot of the upcoming Marathi film Satya Savitree Ani Satyawan (SSAS),which is slated to hit screens across Maharashtra on July 27. The film loosely draws inspiration from the classic mythological tale of Savitri and her husband Satyawan,wherein she had pleaded with Yama,the God of Death,to return the life of her deceased husband. However,according to director Sarvesh Parab,the film is more about "reading the story backwards with real life present day scenarios". It is a political murder mystery, says Parab about the film which is his directorial debut. Parab,who has worked as a film editor for 14 years,says that the film features an editing style ,wherein it alters between the past and the present . The film opens with a politician gunned down by his bodyguard who in turn is killed by the other bodyguard, he says. Speaking about the treatment of the film,he says,I am looking at the real life portrayal of Savitri and Satyawan. How loyal can Savitri be to her dead husband? What is the guarantee that the husband too is someone whose character cannot be questioned? Is it about living a practical life or even using the death of the husband to go ahead in life? Parab mentions that they shot for 45 days and there are 25 characters in the film. They have used some of the latest film direction and editing techniques,like making use of a specific colour scheme for a particular shot. The film stars actors Sachit Patil,Shruti Marathe,Amruta Patki,Sanjay Mone,Anant Jog and Atul Kale in lead roles. A sub-plot in the film is that of corruption in the construction of a Rs 500 crore dam . The reluctance of the villagers in giving up their lands,the power struggle to entice villagers and the corruption that goes into the same is also shown in the film. The film opens 13 days after the killings and their implications are visible in the upcoming state elections. Parab says,The wives of both the deceased people,the bodyguard and the politician,are caught in a web. One is trying to protect the memory of her dead husband,while the other is being sought as a potential political replacement for her dead husband. There are no real life loyalties or even moralities. It is all about practicality and using resources and situations to the best of one's advantage. SSAS is all this and much more. There are no blacks or whites in politics. Everything is grey, he says.
