Entertainment / Revealing Truths: South Asian Cinema’s Contribution to Earth Day Awareness

Revealing Truths: South Asian Cinema’s Contribution to Earth Day Awareness

Entertainment Apr 22, 2024

by Mehak Kapoor | Features Editor - Entertainment

Earth Day calls upon us to address the root causes of water scarcity, including over-extraction, pollution, inefficient use, and climate change impacts. Through advocacy, education, and action, we can work towards ensuring equitable access to clean and safe water for all while safeguarding precious water resources for future generations. Let us use Earth Day as a motivation for collective efforts to conserve water, protect ecosystems, and build resilient communities in the face of water challenges. Here is a curated list of South Asian movies perfect for Earth Day viewing, offering valuable insights into various environmental issues.

Growing up in India, I’ve witnessed firsthand the grim reality of water scarcity that plagues many cities and regions. It’s common to see people clamouring around water tanks in narrow streets, desperate to fill their buckets amidst shouting and chaos. This situation is not unfamiliar to me, even though I’ve been fortunate not to experience water shortages personally.

I recall the scene from Fukrey 3, vividly portraying the chaos and desperation as people battle for water around a tank, reflecting the harsh truth of water scarcity in India. While South Asian-Hindi cinema has traditionally been associated with entertainment-focused films, there has been a significant shift recently as directors increasingly use their platform to raise awareness about environmental issues.

Here are some Indian films that depict the realities of environmental issues and offer valuable lessons:

Anusha Rizvi’s film Peepli Live delves into the tragic phenomenon of farmer suicides in India, revealing the harsh truths behind these incidents. The movie vividly captures the agrarian crisis fueled by mounting debt, persistent drought, and governmental neglect. Through its narrative, the film exposes the deep-rooted political apathy towards the plight of farmers, emphasizing the widespread negligence and indifference surrounding this pressing issue.

Revealing Truths: Hindi Cinema's Contributions to Earth Day Awareness — **Revealing Truths: Hindi Cinema’s Contributions to Earth Day Awareness / Peepli Live (2010)**

My interview with Nila Madhab and the team in 2017 behind Kadvi Hawa provided a sobering glimpse into the stark realities of climate change and its impact on vulnerable communities. It served as a stark reminder of the harsh consequences faced by populations already on the margins, underscoring the urgent need for action to address this global crisis. Set in rural India, the movie draws inspiration from real-life events in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region, as well as the disappearing villages of coastal Odisha and the Chambal region in Dholpur, Rajasthan. The film portrays the struggles of a bankrupt farmer and an elderly blind man grappling with the devastating aftermath of extreme weather conditions. It catalyzes raising awareness about the injustices faced by those most affected by the impacts of climate change.

Paani raises critical questions regarding the present state of water scarcity and its potential future repercussions. Directed by Shekhar Kapur, the film serves as a powerful advocate for raising awareness about the importance of water conservation, adopting sustainable practices, and highlighting the potential social and environmental consequences of mismanaging this vital resource. Despite facing production challenges leading to its shelving, the director is now poised to revive the film, and I have no doubt it will be a spectacular watch!

**Revealing Truths: Hindi Cinema’s Contributions to Earth Day Awareness / Paani (2020)**

The film Jal, directed by Girish Malik, revolves around two communities in the Rann of Kutch searching for water. Bakka, a young man with a unique talent for locating water in arid regions, becomes central to their quest. Just picture possessing a talent akin to Bakka’s for discovering water sources. However, his efforts take an unexpected turn when he assists a female bird enthusiast in rescuing flamingos, leading to unforeseen challenges.

The movie Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal, Birds with Large Wings in Malayalam/English explores the harmful consequences of pesticide usage in Kasaragod, located in northern Kerala. Thousands of individuals in the region suffered from deadly diseases as a result of exposure to endosulfan, a pesticide utilized to safeguard cashew nut trees. The film is regarded as a masterpiece, it offers a poignant narrative that deserves the attention of all. Let us acknowledge the bravery and dedication of all those involved in its creation. Overall, the indiscriminate use of pesticides has detrimental effects on human health, the environment, and biodiversity, underscoring the importance of adopting sustainable and integrated pest management practices.

Bhopal Express, directed by Mahesh Mithai, delves into the harrowing events of the Bhopal Tragedy in 1984, a catastrophic incident with profound repercussions. The night of the disaster saw a deadly gas cloud emanating from the Union Carbide factory, spanning over 20 square kilometres and claiming the lives of more than 8000 individuals. The film serves as a stark reminder of how the reckless actions of both individuals and corporations can devastate the lives of ordinary people, leaving enduring scars on society. The Railway Men on Netflix is based on the same tragedy.

**Revealing Truths: Hindi Cinema’s Contributions to Earth Day Awareness / The Railway Men (2023)**

Taking place in Bathinda, a city dominated by thermal power plants and factories, Irada unfolds a gripping story inspired by real-life events. The film confronts one of the least recognized threats of our era: eco-terrorism. This modern form of environmental terrorism operates anonymously but possesses the capability to devastate entire generations.

Swades, Shah Rukh Khan’s film, follows his character’s mission to bring electricity to a small rural Indian village using an unconventional solution: water. Electricity shortages are a widespread issue in India, worsened by corruption scandals where certain villages are denied access to electricity for financial gain and other reasons. If you haven’t had the chance to see this movie yet, I highly recommend giving it a watch. I’m confident you’ll be captivated by the direction and artistic excellence it offers.

**Revealing Truths: Hindi Cinema’s Contributions to Earth Day Awareness / Swades (2004)**

Kaun Kitne Paani Mein, starring Kunal Kapoor and Radhika Apte, is a thought-provoking Bollywood film that delves into the complexities of water scarcity, exploring its impact on society while shedding light on the socio-economic and political dynamics at play. The movie examines the consequences of insufficient skills contributing to water scarcity and its effects on individuals’ livelihoods. Directed by Nila Madhab Panda, known for his other film, Kadvi Hawa*.

From a personal standpoint, I found great enjoyment in this movie, primarily due to Vidya Balan’s captivating performance and the intriguing title, Sherni. Directed by Amit Masurkar, acclaimed for his work on Newton (India’s official entry to the 2018 Oscars) and the comedy Sulemani Keeda, Sherni delves into the complexities of a man-eating tigress hunt entwined within a multifaceted political landscape. Drawing parallels with the real-life Avni, or T1 tigress case of 2018, the film portrays the controversial circumstances surrounding the hunt and eventual death of the tigress in the Yavatmal region of Maharashtra, following allegations of her involvement in the deaths of 13 people over two years.

Mehak Kapoor | Features Editor - Entertainment

Author

Mehak Kapoor (@makeba_93) is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist with over a decade of experience in anchoring and content creation for TV and digital platforms. Passionate about storytelling and factual reporting, she enjoys engaging with diverse audiences. Outside of work, she finds solace i...

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Revealing Truths: South Asian Cinema’s Contribution to Earth Day Awareness

by Mehak Kapoor | Features Editor - Entertainment

Mehak Kapoor | Features Editor - Entertainment

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