Private Project

The Motherland.

In a developing country like India, the rampant acquisition of land for industrial purposes has plunged the majority of its population into a state of misery. People are losing their ancestral land, livelihood, and everything forever. Because of lopsided development, the disparity between the rich and poor has increased exponentially.
This film delves into the social issue of land acquisition and analyzes some case studies like anti-displacement agitation at Kaliganagar, Jajpur, and a major protest at Jagatsinghpur in the state of Odisha. This film highlights major concerns like tribal land rights, unemployment, environmental pollution, etc. Ultimately this film ignites to rethink about the developmental process itself.
Narrated from the perspective of the protagonist, Mr. Mayadhar Nayak, a renowned social thinker, prolific writer, and visionary labor union leader, who proposed a solution called ‘Land-to let’, which means ‘Land’ is not a commodity for sale, instead land to be treated as a form of tenancy. By doing so, those who sacrifice their land as the foundation for factories can also get the benefits of industrial development. The film presents a path towards inclusive development, emphasizing the importance of considering the well-being of all individuals involved.

  • Shibu Prusty
    Director
  • Shibu Prusty
    Writer
  • Indira Das
    Producer
  • Mayadhar Nayak
    Key Cast
    "Protagonist"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    46 minutes
  • Production Budget:
    12,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16;9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • Udra productions
    Distributor
    Country: India
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Shibu Prusty

Shibu Prusty is an Indian filmmaker and cinematographer, who is a recipient of the National Film Award-2016 for his film ‘THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE’ as Best Arts / Cultural Film from the honorable President of India.
After graduating from cinematography at BPFTIO, Shibu started his career in Mumbai film industry in 2003. Over the past 19 years, he has worked with various production houses like Aamir Khan Productions, Azmi Pictures, Rajlaxmi Film Productions, Square Peg, Tale-Smith, and more. He has been associated with 11 feature films, 9 short films, more than 40 TV commercials, & corporate films and involved in TV shows like, 'Satyamev Jayate.'
As a director, his previous film was 'The Motherland,' which was selected for prestigious film festivals like Mumbai International Film Festival 2020, JIFF 2019, KIFF-2019, etc.
Along with filmmaking, he completed his Master's degree in journalism and mass communication.
His passion for filmmaking continues to drive his artistic endeavors.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

THE MOTHERLAND' is a film based on true facts and real incidents, shot in challenging and life-threatening circumstances. It sheds light on the issue of land grabbing for industrialization, exposing the ground-level problems that ensue.
The film portrays the human condition of individuals who are forcefully displaced from their land, losing not just their homes but also their livelihoods and cultural heritage. It serves as a platform to amplify their voices and draw attention to their plight.
As the director, I aimed to create an authentic and impactful cinematic experience, revealing the struggles faced by countless individuals affected by land grabbing. Our hope is that 'THE MOTHERLAND' serves as a catalyst for dialogue and prompts a re-evaluation of the current development paradigm, advocating for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to development.

This film is based on two incidents,
1) Kalinganagar land acquisition issue at Jajpur district, Odisha, India.
2) Jagatsinghpur POSCO land acquisition issue. (In the film called South Korean Company)
These incidents are well known and captured by the press media exclusively.
Following are some links to factual proof.

http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=4574

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/kalinganagar-police-firing-victims-remembered/articleshow/56305975.cms

https://thewire.in/rights/kalinganagar-development-threatening-way-life

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/posco-project-has-taken-away-rights-of-communities/article4863253.ece

http://mayadharnayak.com/