It is often said that we should always give due respect to the person that provides us with food. But the reality is far from the truth. With the high inflation and failing economy, it is often hard to look out for anyone else barring yourself. But that still isn’t an excuse to give up on humanity altogether. Toiling day in and day out, farmers are the true life provider. Without them, it will be impossible to sustain life in this world. “MANDI” explores the theme of exploitation that these life providers have to go through every day and yet they never give up on their duty.
MANDI: At A Glimpse
Based on true incidents, “MANDI” by Yashowardhan Mishra sheds life into the cruel world that farmers have to live in. In a world which will fail without their continuous help and support, they are continuously subjected to deprivation. As they toil through the heavy rain and scorching sun to provide for the entire world. They are hardly given genuine thanks.
“MANDI” brings out this irony in today’s world where the provider of the world is not able to provide anything for himself or his family. The short film focuses on a small incident in the life of a farmer. That does end up hurting him in the long run. This particular incident is rather pretty common. But after being reduced to the status of beggars than the reflection of gods who feed the world at the hands of capitalism, the farmers accept their fate as it comes.
Given that growing crops depends heavily on the condition of weather and other factors that are not always in the hands of the farmer. It might give an idea as to why farmers are so fatalistic in different aspects of their life. Lack of proper regulation and awareness might also be factors that lead to farmers adopting such a fatalistic attitude. “MANDI” beautifully portrays the plight of a farmer who is unable to provide even a toy helicopter to his son as he has to live on a very meagre salary. It highlights how that farmer has to go on and pay for the extra cost. When he should be the one being awarded for all his hard work. “MANDI” is sure to make you question the existing system that has reduced the value of such an important work.
Afterword
With just a little over 10 mins to share, “MANDI leaves a lasting impression on the viewers. All because of the simple yet realistic way in which it is executed. From the costume to the camerawork to the surrounding everything elevates the way this film is perceived. Subtle things such as the childlike wonder of the farmer’s kid and saving up a few bucks just to hold a puja that according to the farmer’s community will improve their luck, give us a sense of understanding from where the characters are coming from.
The song that is sung in the beginning as the farmer starts his journey to the city and is continued in the end when the farmer is returning from the city, narrates the two different scenarios the farmer is in. The lyrics of the song ensure that the message of the film reaches the audience loud and clear. The visual evidence of the bill that substantiates the existence of such forms of cruelty, is bound to leave any viewer with chills.
