Prepare for the unexpected. In an era of predictability, here comes a welcome change. Peepli [Live] is one of a kind - it has no star attraction, it is a satire on a bleak reality; it is matter-of-fact, and socially-arousing, without being preachy.

Peepli Live is one of a kind

PEEPLI [LIVE]
A; Comedy
Dir: Anusha Rizvi
Cast: Omkar Das Manikpuri, Raghubir Yadav, Shalini Vatsa, Farookh Zafar and Naseeruddin Shah
Rating: *** 1/2

WHAT'S IT ABOUT:
Prepare for the unexpected. In an era of predictability, here comes a welcome change. Peepli [Live] is one of a kind - it has no star attraction, it is a satire on a bleak reality; it is matter-of-fact, and socially-arousing, without being preachy. Producer Aamir Khan once again presents a film that is in a class of its own. Set in a fictitious village called Peepli in Mukhya Pradesh, it is a dark comedy inspired by the farmer suicides. The film revolves around two farmer brothers Natha (Omkar Das) and Budhiya (Raghubir Yadav) who live in abject poverty. Their prized possession is their only piece of land that's up for auction because they haven't paid the installment on the loan. They approach a local politician for some aid but he pokes fun at them and taunts them to become eligible for a government scheme that pays a handsome sum to the family of a farmer who commits suicide. Natha (encouraged by his brother) decides to kill himself. A local reporter catches wind of this plan, and makes a story out it. It is picked up by a channel, and then begins the tamasha. The media circus arrives in their OB vans, vying for exclusive stories and the lives of Natha, his family and the villagers are changed forever.

WHAT'S GOOD:
First-time director Anusha Rizvi makes an impressive debut and full points to her for veering away from the tried and tested. Peepli [Live] is a small budget film and a cynic's delight. She does a brilliant job of depicting village life (almost as if she has lived in one) and the inner workings of TV channels (probably because she was a journalist herself). The on-goings in the film have an authentic touch and that's why the screenplay manages to evoke humour and pathos in equal doses. Peepli [Live] confirms every awful thought you've ever had about media manipulation, politicians and the gullibility of the Indian public. The script is sharp, the dialogues keep it real and the performances are applause-worthy. It makes you laugh (at the antics of the TV crews), it makes you cringe (at the pitiable plight of farmers) and finally it leaves you disturbed. Any film that manages to do all that deserves to be seen. The music is brilliant and in tune with the sentiment of the film. Among the performances, Omkar Das is outstanding and brings a lot to his character. Raghubir Yadav is effective as always. His wife Dhaniya, essayed by Shalini Vatsa is also note-worthy. In totality, it's the ensemble cast that makes the film work - it proves yet again that it's not stars but actors that drive a film.u00a0u00a0

WHAT'S NOT:
The second half of the film held a lot of promise but that's where it begins to get sluggish. We've seen the dirty politicians, the faults in the system and poked fun at the paparazzi in the first half - so you keep waiting for the twist that never comes. And that's where it falls short. After a point, it starts becoming repetitive, which is not an ideal state to be in for a film of this genre. Be warned - the film doesn't send you home with that warm and fuzzy feeling.

WHAT TO DO:
Watch it for its content and context. If, in the process, you feel repulsed about the situation of the farmers' problems in our country, then it is money well-spent.

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