What Is the Story About?
Anil Singh, a wheat seller, is the only breadwinner in a family comprising his mother, wife and his sister. When Anil finalises a match for his sister and the groom’s family demands a dowry, he plans to sell his land through a broker. However, the sale doesn’t go through, given the land is illegally acquired by a local MLA Amar Singh. Anil takes to the court for a fight, but is there hope in sight?
Performances?
After the buddy comedy Madgaon Express and the slice-of-life relationship drama Do Aur Do Pyaar, Pratik Gandhi, through Dedh Bigha Zameen, yet again gets a film that asserts his versatility as an actor. He’s cast perfectly as a common man who fearlessly confronts a land shark to get his sister married. Portraying both the vulnerabilities and the inner strength of the protagonist, it’s his gritty performance that keeps you invested in the story.
Although Khushali Kumar may not have gotten dominant screen space, she makes a solid impact as a small-town wife who pushes her partner to fight for the right reasons. Mukesh Chhabra springs a surprise as a righteous lawyer who stands by Anil’s family and is quite convincing with his performance. Durgesh Kumar, Vinod Nahardih, Daya Shankar Pandey, Prasanna Bisht, Mrityunjay Pandey and Neeta Mohindra excel in their parts too.
Analysis
Over 7 decades have passed since Bimal Roy’s Do Bigha Zameen hit screens, but not much has changed about the plight of a common man and the fight for his land. Paying a humble tribute to the classic is Pulkit-directed Dedh Bigha Zameen, starring Scam 1992 fame actor Pratik Gandhi. The film primarily discusses two social evils – dowry and corruption within the system.
The film’s wheat seller protagonist is startled by the demands of the groom’s family when an alliance for his sister comes by. As you would expect of a typical small-town patriarch, he banks on a land sale to proceed with the marriage. When an MLA usurps his land, Anil tries to work around the system, but as nothing comes out of it, he takes on the big men, knowing he has nothing to lose.
For a brief part of the film, you wonder if the director is going too far in normalising dowry while equating marriage to happiness within the household. With time, you realise he’s merely projecting a common man’s helplessness while falling prey to patriarchy. Even then, Anil’s wife warns him about the groom’s endless demands and if it is right for his sister’s future.
As Anil takes to the court, his only intention is to regain his land. He does his best to bow down to the system and the red-tapism and even negotiates with the crooked MLA about his land. When several efforts are made to silence him and his family, Anil’s determination is further strengthened. Anil’s uncle pleads with him to move on and reminds him of the many wars waged for lands over the years.
From land brokers who run an illegal nexus with the politicians to the indifference of the police force and the twisted judiciary, many rotten dimensions of the system are brought to the fore with earnestness. Though you sympathise with Anil, the narrative is all too straightforward and lacks enough complexity. Yet, the director makes a fine choice of not settling for a happy ending.
Within the crisp 100-minute film, the makers sustain their focus on Anil’s story and don’t distract you with needless cinematic liberties. The transformation of a humble brother to a disgruntled citizen is depicted with sincerity, backed by apt casting and authenticity in the storytelling. Dedh Bigha Zameen isn’t a film meant to give you hope but a sugar-coated pill that projects the ground realities of small-town India.
Music and Other Departments?
Both Anurag Saikia’s background score and the songs integrate into the narrative seamlessly, furthering the storyteller’s intent with care. Rochak Kohli’s tribute to Zidd Na Karo in the end is the icing on the cake. Kumar Saurabh’s cinematography is refreshing, for it merely doesn’t paint a rosy picture of small-town lush green landscapes, and is more focused on portraying the harsh realities of the protagonist. The 100-minute runtime is perfect for a tale as compact as Dedh Bigha Zameen – it’s still not rushed and gives you enough space to absorb the world of the story.
Highlights?
Pratik Gandhi’s earnest performance
The sincere effort to capture realities of small-town India
Focused storytelling
Drawbacks?
Simplistic narrative style
Too predictable at times
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes
Dedh Bigha Zameen Movie Review by Binged Bureau