Since last few years, multiplexes seem to follow an initial three day release policy for a smaller, lesser known film with selective show timings given for only Friday to Sunday. The film is simply taken off on Monday or its shows get cancelled if there are no viewers coming up for the same, despite its exceptional content and relevance in comparison to the other major releases. In fact that is the reason why we don’t get to see many such smaller gems in absence of a noteworthy publicity campaign or information provided by the media well in time before the film is taken off by the merciless exhibition system.
Here is a brief description of 5 such lesser known, real life inspired, interesting films of 2017, you might not have even heard of.
POORNA (Directed by Rahul Bose)
A simple yet important, inspiring film made in a limited budget, POORNA reveals the story behind the unbelievable record making expedition of a teenage (tribal) girl from Telangana, becoming the youngest girl to conquer The Mighty Everest. An amazing world record made by a 13 years old Indian girl and that too just 3 years back in the year 2014 - a rare achievement that might not be known to a big majority of people living in the country itself.
IRADA (Directed by Aparnaa Singh)
A courageous film that enlightens about a seriously disturbing truth related with a key city of Punjab that became victim of water contamination due to a politically shielded industry’s reverse boring process (mixing chemicals with the groundwater) causing Cancer. Introducing the viewers with the brutal harsh reality of a CANCER TRAIN running between Bathinda and Bikaner, the film bluntly shows how the train is often seen as a potential source of clients for the eager Insurance agents solely interested in completing their targets.
MUKTI BHAWAN (Directed by Shubhashish Bhutiani)
One of those rare Hindi films fearlessly talking about DEATH, this is an enlightening gem that makes you visit a special lodge/guest house (Mukti Bhawan) in Varanasi (Banaras/Kashi), where old age people actually check in to die – since a death in the sacred city of Kashi ensures ultimate salvation of the soul as per the centuries old Indian tradition. A beautifully layered script of relationship between a 'willing to die' father and his middle aged son, MUKTI BHAWAN certainly deserves much more praises and viewers than actually witnessed.
RAAG DESH (Directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia)
Presented by Rajya Sabha TV, this is based upon the joint court martial of three brave officers of INA, charged with murder and conspiracy against the British Empire. A case involving a Hindu (Colonel Prem Sehgal), a Sikh (Lt. Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon) and a Muslim (Major Shah Nawaz Khan) representing the entire nation, the film is an authentic onscreen portrayal of those times with a praiseworthy research, art-direction and a focused writing. RAAG DESH surely deserves to be seen, to know how the particular case created tension among the people and the judges got forced to give a judgment finding a safe way out.
PHULLU (Directed by Abhishek Saxena)
A worth praising effort spreading awareness on the subject of women's menstrual cycle and the importance of 'Sanitary Pads', this happens to be the first (released) film inspired from the life and works of Arunachalam Muruganantham – the man who worked on the idea of making affordable sanitary napkins benefitting the poor women. An informative and enlightening film, PHULLU boldly talks about the things that are widely considered as a taboo in both the rural and urban regions of our country. And this is only the subject Akshay Kumar’s upcoming PADMAN is also based upon.
(Note: The article was also published on UC-News Mobile App in December 2017)
