Meenakshi Shedde: Kuch toh seekho, Bollywood!

I saw Nagraj Manjules Sairat Wild Marathi with English subtitles for the fourth time at last weeks preview in Mumbai before it opened last Friday Twice before recommending it strongly to the Berlin Film FestivalI was delighted when the film was selected by them because my job is to make talented Indian and South Asian filmmakers shine internationally I saw it again at its world premiere in Berlin where it got a rousing reception from the international audience Yet here I was roaring with laughter and deeply moved A romcom Sairat is supremely entertaining and funny with romance song and dance and suspense then suddenly the climax socks you in the solar plexus An unforgettable masala film like youve rarely seen Do yourself a favour mdash book your ticketsimmediatelyNagraj Manjules SairatThe film explores the teenage love story of the feisty upper caste Archie Archana played by Rinku Rajguru who won the National Award Special Mention a revelation and wonder and the charming low caste Parshya Prashant Kale ie Akash Thosar in Bitargaon village who feel the full brunt of the caste system When they are caught kissing the upper castes torch Dalit homes and have false kidnap and rape charges slapped to have Parshya and his friends arrested Finally the couple elopes to the big city In the anonymous freedom of the metropolis they settle into domestic bliss with jobs a baby a flat Until that climax youll never forgetIts a powerfully feminist film and Manjules village heroine does what few Bollywood heroines can do she makes all the moves on her boyfriend rides an Enfield Bullet shoots her dads goons and even rescues the hero and his pals from police detention Do you think Bollywoods sixpackwallahs Salman Khan Akshay Kumar amp Co would allow a teenage village girl to rescue them Ouch Manjule makes the case as I have pointed out before that when upper caste women get power they tend to dismantle caste and patriarchy and make for a more egalitarian humane society Whereas upper caste men in power usurp the law to oppress the lower castes defend fake honour caste hierarchy patriarchy and entitlementManjule is in absolute control of his craft His screenplay is compelling His outrage is explosive because he downplays the big moments For instance Tatya Patils halfproud smile when he hears his loutish son Prince has thrashed his college professor for telling him not to talk on the mobile phone in class It is fascinating how the revolt against the caste system comes not from politicized Dalits but an upper caste teenage girl in love pushed to the brink Theres a passing scene of Hindutva goons thrashing couples in the street it is not underlined nor is the HinduMuslim dosti of the lower caste Parshya and his friendsAnd thank you Nagraj for understanding that women find a man who is gentle and shy infinitely sexier than Bollywoods barrelchested gorillas who toss exploding trucks in the air Contrast ManjuleParshyas shy male gaze at the wet Archie in the well with Bollywoods slobbering male gaze at the wet Mandakini in Ram Teri Ganga Maili Nagraj Manjule and Bharat Manjules sharp dialogues make us feel for all their charactersThere are outstanding ensemble performances especially by Rinku Rajguru but also by Thosar and the minor cast Sudhakar Reddys cinematography is superbly evocative with meticulous sound design by Avinash Sonawane And the height of Indian creative jugaad They shot the songs without the songs Zee Studios and Manjules Aatpat Production have coproduced the film partly shot in Jeur village Sholapur Manjules hometownManjules Fandry too was an intercaste love story but Sairat goes mainstream AjayAtuls music Zingat is catchy but four songs and Western waltzy music are too much and detract The second half drags a bit mdash the film is long at 2hours 54minutes mdash but these are minor quibbles in a haunting film Its a fine balance between uproarious comedy and poignant social comment rarely accomplished even in world cinemaSairats caste outrage comes from the directors lived experience as distinct from powerful films on caste made by privileged but empathetic directors Sairat shines up there with the best along with Shyam Benegals Samar Ravi Jadhavs Timepass1 which had explored an interclass romance was utterly delightful Here Manjules intercaste romcom is imbued with a venomous sting powerful depth and social commentary He holds up a mirror mdash and we cant face ourselves Kuch toh seekho BollywoodMeenakshi Shedde is South Asia Consultant to the Berlin Film Festival awardwinning critic curator to festivals worldwide and journalist Reach her at meenakshisheddegmailcom