Khairlanjichya Mathyavar (Marathi) / The true picture

Music : Anand Modak

Cast : Kishori Shahane Vij, Tukaram Bidkar, Anant Jog, Milind Shinde, Dr. Vilas Ujavane, Deepak Balraj Vij, Pratiksha Mungekar, Dr. Sandip Patil,
Akash Gharat, Pradip Navle, Pankaj Pohankar, Ganesh Sonavane

By Sunil Nandgaonkar

Kishori Shahane Vij and Pratiksha Munge-kar in a still from Khairlanjichya Mathyavar

The basic premise of the film Khairlanjichya Mathyavar is based on the real life incident that happened in Khairlanji, a village in Maharashtra’s Bhandara district in 2006. With this film, writer-director Raju Meshram, has tried to revoke memories of that ghastly incident when four members, including two women, of a Dalit family were physically tortured and murdered over a land dispute in Khairlanji. It is an attempt by the makers to brush the cobwebs off public memory and create a dialogue on whether picking up arms is the only means to solve disputes.
Besides this, the film also raises several pertinent questions, like the safety of women, the class divide, the desires of those belonging to the lower strata of the society to improve their life, and most important raising a voice against the wrong that is prevalent in the system. The story revolves around Sujata Parasmange and her family. Belonging to a lower caste, Sujata, who is a follower of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, along with her husband, Babulal till the small plot of land to sustain themselves and their two children. Although, uneducated and barely managing to eke out a living, Sujata nurtures the desire to educate her children, so that they are able to lead a better life.
A fearless woman, with great grit and determination, Sujata, however, finds herself at loggerheads with the local administration and their goons when she raises her voice in protest against the illegal sale of liquor in their village.
Kishori Shahane Vij gives an effortless performance as the fiery and gutsy Sujata who challenges the might of the powerful politicians and their henchmen. The film brings out the various ills that gnaw at the social fabric of rural India, including the police and political nexus.
While, the story and screenplay is taut and does not slack, Meshram’s attempt to string the various incidents together in a fortright manner, gives one the feel of watching a documentary. What is commendable, though are the actors, Kishori Sahane, Anant Jog, Dr. Vilas Ujawane and Milind Shinde who have given a sterling performance.