As a result of increasing corruption and inflation, many rural areas have been facing illegal sand mining. This leads to severe water scarcity, taking a toll on the farmers’ livelihoods that depends on destroyed water sources. Inspired by real-life events, Mayur Dharod (Producer) and Vikram Aggarwal’s (Director) Marathi short film, Valu screens the politics of sand and water.
Plot: Valu | Sand
The film opens with a scene of Vitthal, a farmer working in his field. His young daughter assists him. The film uses natural and realistic imagery to bring out the reality of the everyday lives of Indian farmers as a universal subject. While they continue their day-to-day chores, the family soon realises that their bore-well has dried up. This will lead to no water left for the field. Eventually, The farmer witnesses the illegal mining of sand, which has caused the river of his area to dry up.
Worried about the outcome of sand mining and its consequences on his livelihood, Vitthal decides to report the crime to the district collector. However, the politics of sand mining have its roots spread everywhere. Upon receiving an unsatisfactory response from the officials, The Farmer decides to take control of the situation. This soon leads to a shocking end.
Observing Valu: A Thought-Provoking Short Film About Indian Rural Issues
Shot in Solnapur, a village near Aurangabad, Maharashtra, known to be the hub of illegal river and sand mining, Mayur Dharod and Vikram Aggarwal mirror the water crisis in many regions of the country. Farmers are often viewed as easily susceptible to submission to various illegal activities imposed on them. The power equation and social structures repeatedly force them to be at the mercy of the higher officials, often involved in corrupt activities.
Exposing the reality of farmers’ lives and the difficulties they face at the hands of dirty politics, Mayur Dharod and Vikram Aggarwal effectively highlight one of the most important rural issues of the nation. The film involves careful dialogues, such as the conversation between Vitthal and the truck driver involved in the illegal business. While one is living in a disguise, the other is environmentally conscious and chooses to live the right way. Additionally, there is prolonged silence throughout the film. This prompts the viewers think about the situations taking place and introspect about the outcomes of various events involved. The quest for observation defines the need for the right provisions instead of turning a blind eye to the basics.
Summing Up
Indian rural areas are prone to many different types of illegal activities that essentially affect the lives of weaker communities, such as farmers. These farmers end up falling at the mercy of the ones above them, socially and economically, and losing their livelihoods. Mayur Dharod and Vikram Aggarwal’s 12-minute Marathi short film underscores the need for change in the legal and political systems. At the same time, it asks the audience to think about the actual future regardless ofselfish requirements.
The Marathi film won the People’s Choice Best Film award at the Athens Marathon International Film Festival 2020. It was a finalist for Best Film at the Human-Environment Care Film Festival in Canada the same year. Additionally, it was officially selected at the Festival Amnesty International Au Cinéma pour les Droits Humains in 2021 and the Oscar Qualifying Austin Film Festival in 2019. And there is reason for it. Watch the short film here.
