Samvega-Pasada

I envisaged a contemporary adaptation of the Manimekhalai, an epic over a thousand years old, that is in its origin, surprisingly rational at heart. The interconnectedness of working-class lives and their struggles with re-development and day-to-day challenges can be explored best through the epic idiom of cinema.

The film is an exploration of the universal themes of exploitation, resistance, and rebellion against oppressive systems. Inspired by the epic of Manimekalai, the film follows Nirrti, a former sex worker turned teacher, on her journey towards liberation amidst the challenges of casteism and capitalism in modern-day India. Set in the working-class neighbourhood of Koliwadi at Charni Road, the film foregrounds sex workers as knowledge bearers of society, imagining what a process of shared knowledge through song and dance might look like. The film's engagement with the path-breaking philosophies of the sub-continent is realised through the choreography and compositions by Sanjukta Wagh and Neela Bhagwat, respectively. The film's diverse cast and crew, including members of the Ambedkarite activist group - Yalgaar Sanskrutik Manch, highlight the importance of building a radical coalition for meaningful change. Nirrti's journey hopefully inspires critical examination of the philosophies that undergird oppressive systems in India and the world. As the world heads towards greater uncertainty I also hope that this film will resonate with a lot of younger audiences around the world.