Peepli Life!

The film opens well with a shattered dream and rousing track from the talented stable of Indian Ocean.

The village of Mukhya Pradesh was captured in the real delight and its sorrow. A remorseful sadness of Farmer’s plight was made humorous, just to have a silent impact near the credit roll. The Indian satire by NDTV journalist Anusha Rizvi’s first directional debut without Aamir Khan’s production would not have hit the bull’s eye, but it’s a well timed with screenplay. Camera was held in the darkest village neatly.The screenplay was harsh and real with no sugarcoating.

Raghuvir Yadav’s funny deliveries and the far-cry were marvelous. He is one actor still close to Earth and Theatre. A nice choice of theater artists in this movie was the first score and a sure win. Small laughter and small dialogues’ made the first half chirpy and interesting.

Malaika Shenoy as TV anchor did not do justice to a well educated, smart and confident women, however the punch line was delivered with an impact-“You are in the wrong profession” when referring to the ethical and emotions dilemma related to the job of a journalist.

Shalini Vatsa as Dhaniya was amazingly good and humorous, she was always great with the humor time and a expression well held.

Farukh Jaffer as Amma was the best in the lot, she got all the best dialogues and did full justice to a bed ridden irritate rustic approach.

Finally, Manikpuri -the silent scapegoat of the tragedian satire. Makeup and Hairs were well justified with his subtle laughter of innocence.

Inspired by Premchand’s Godan and the suicidal statistics of farmer’s suicide in India have a message in the end. There was a silent tribute to Hori and Dhaniya by giving the characters name from Munshi’s story of Indian peasant. Hori’s death was the turning point of the movie, which ended in Priyadarshan’s style of ending the movie with all the characters in a confused run. Movie lacked the content and flow by repeating the media craziness behind the TRP’s. It’s hard to make believe that people are taken so easily, even in remote villages. Bureaucrats and the media were also shown completely in low tastes.

Laal Bahudur (Literallly: Strong Red) had a mystery behind it and when it was revealed it was not red at all but green. It was a real delight to see the government take on announcing Yojnas— Laal Bahadur, Jawahar nivas, Annapurna and above all Nattha card.

All the actors did their part, not to mention the only star- Naseeruddin Shah; He was too polished and smart with an American seed company as state agriculture minister. His attire and accent didn’t suit the agriculture industry.

This movie had a collection of best songs and folks. “Chola Mati Ke Ram- Tanvir” by a MP folk singer Siwar was brilliant. Mehngai Dayan by Raghuveer Yadav was equally good, and with good rustic lyrics. Then we had the maestro Zindagi Se Darte Ho and Desh mera by Indian Ocean, with nice fusion of folk and rock.

By the way do you remember American Classics “Meet john Doe” and the media carnival in “Ace in the Hole”. I hope Rizvi should have taken more examples from the real India than simply showing the mad rush of Media and a suicidal man. The subtle character of the Hori, the man who digs and sells some Earth for mere Rs 15 was more impactful.

Could have been a well deserved debut.

2 stars for a very good casting, very good selection of songs, and a brilliant screenplay.
The artistic capture of the dug well by Hori, depicts the silver lining of a dark cloud , as the well had started showing signs of some water body beneath it.