Recently the episode of Kangna’s verbal clash with a journalist and
KAAFIR the new web-series at
ZEE5 made me realize and think, how the perception towards Journalism and Journalists has seriously changed since the last decade and how one of the most responsible profession is no longer seen or considered with any humble regards or respect.
No doubt, the wave of favouritism supported by the fraternity, moving away from being unbiased and neutral has certainly got a lot do with this rapid change in the outlook, but that in reality is not any positive news for the society as well as the nation. To be specific, the situation wasn’t the same before the much talked about and publicized
Anna led people’s revolutionary movement starting from the Ramlila Grounds in Delhi. But nothing remained the same after that particular event.
Before that major phase in the political shift in the country, journalism was looked upon as a responsible profession and journalists were treated with much respect and dignity by both the people and the authorities.
However, since then everything went through a drastic change, especially the perception towards this fourth important pillar of democracy, with many new names given to the media, news reporters and the once-reliable as well as responsible profession of journalism.
Interestingly, witnessing the ZEE5’s latest web-series KAAFIR and its protagonist fighting for an unknown lady and her child, strongly made me realize the truth, that how at present every such move by a journalist is looked upon with suspicion as if initiated with some hidden political motives or backing. Now in the present age, we certainly don’t assume any journalist to be fighting for truth, but always assume him or her to be having some biased interests or political motivation behind the thorough research or investigations being made.
No doubt, the still neutral journalists and media publications/transmissions do seriously suffer because of this ‘constructed’ negative image of the various media-streams. Plus that exactly is the reason why now when a young boy or girl expresses the desire to become a journalist, then the close friends and family members don’t really get amused finding themselves in a tricky and unsure position.
Thankfully, the scenario has also been portrayed in the web-series KAAFIR that presents the true story of a young, innocent Pakistani girl who had to spend seven years in Indian prison after she was mistakenly arrested by the Border Security Force assuming her to be a militant. The girl, unfortunately, gets raped in the prison, conceives an unwanted child and then decides to give birth for her own reasons. But then begins her legal battle to get back to Pakistan along with her little girl child (who has been born in India), which she together fights with a young, sincere journalist/lawyer against all the odds.
Directed by Sonam Nair, KAAFIR has three worth appreciating lead acts by Dia Mirza (making her web-series debut as the victim girl), Mohit Raina (as the journalist/lawyer) and the adorable kid girl. With a fine supporting cast, the series works as its narrative rises above the loud Indo-Pak political scenario and remains focused on the highly emotional real-life story staying away from the unnecessary jingoism and prejudices. The writing scores (with some impactful courtroom scenes) and so does the soothing background score along with a superfine cinematography, art-direction and songs too. Especially the brilliant, heart-wrenching climax poetry thoughtfully penned by Swanand Kirkire enhances the overall impact of the series to many folds in the well-executed end, bringing tears to the eyes.
And the finale poem begins as,
"Log Ladte Hai Milne Ki Khaatir, Par Apni Toh Bichhad Jaane Ki Ladaai Thi"
Another winning feature of KAAFIR (
an Arabic term meaning disbeliever or a person who doesn’t believe in Allah and religion) is its unpredictability, wherein you keep guessing till the end reaching an emotional conclusion.
However, the series actually starts finding its grip post the 3rd episode to be honest. Till then it does test your patience with all the lengthy buildup and flashbacks and that remains one of its few drawbacks along with the duration of around 6 hours divided into 8 episodes. The performers too, gradually establish a relationship with the viewers as the story moves forward and until then you have to give it a chance expecting the content to prove itself from the fourth episode onwards.
In all, taking you back to the time period between 1998 and 2005, KAAFIR is a mature, refreshing series revealing a fresh, shocking and emotional real-life story, and thus deserves to be applauded for making the best use of the creative freedom provided by the new digital platforms.
Coming back to the main subject of the present unfortunate, negative image of the media, journalists and journalism, it will unarguably be a herculean task to re-establish the positive image again after so serious, severe blows in the last few years. But such recent real-life instances depicted in meaningful projects like KAAFIR do have the power to remind us what once used to be the most responsible social profession serving as the fourth crucial pillar of a democracy.
To sum it all, had there been no journalist/lawyer to fight her case, the victim girl and her child probably would have never crossed the border to get back home.
So do watch it as a must finding some time and stay with it till the real drama begins, post the third episode.
Rating: 3.5 / 5 (including the additional brownie points for Swanand Kirkire’s outstanding poetry)
Bobby Sing
(bobbytalkscinema.com)
