Have you watched the bollywood movie “Vadh”? Vadh in Hindu mythological terms refers to when dev or God kill Danav or demon (evil), to protect people from injustice, pain, agony , and terror. 'Vadh' is an amazing film, especially if you understand the actual meaning of the word 'Vadh' and in what context it is used. Although it translates as 'Kill' or ‘killing' it's pointing to a 'justified killing' or a 'kill' that came out as a natural or spontaneous response to something that is 'distastefully contrived'. The word 'Vadh' was first used in Sharad Ponkshe's classic Marathi drama 'Me Nathuram Boltoy' for his assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. The whole plot structure of the film is brilliantly presented and although at times predictable it's worth a watch.
The Vadh portrtays the reality of debt and corruption and the way it affects those in power. The biggest highlight of the film is an outstanding performance by Sanjay Mishra ( as Shambhunath Mishra) won the Filmfare Critics Award for best actor male, he has given a performance of his life, and his expressions are exactly as they should be as per the situation. Neena Gupta as (Manju Mishra) his wife has complimented well and her change of attitude after she knows the real reason for the 'Vadh' is remarkable. They live in Gwalior and a burgeoning debt threatens to derail their life. The couple make do now as best as they can, but clearly they are struggling. When the menacing thug stops by their home one night, the story takes another turn. These scenes are filled with dread as the helpless couple can only silently watch as they are demeaned in their own home. The movie explores the mindset of the couple as they try to come to terms with this sudden event in their lives.
The title of movie is quiet appropriate as it speaks of a honourable, almost justified killing, and that is what it delves into as characters grapple with right and wrong. The couple really has no one to turn to but themselves and the actors dutifully display that lived-in history of several decades with the strains of financial debt and the stress of the police at the doorsteps, the two actors dive into the slight rift this event has caused in their stable marriage. The subtle humour of the sub-inspector with reference to doha 'Jaame kutumb samay.' and 'Manohar Kahaniyan' is hilarious. In addition to this, the film employs a humour, perhaps to avoid monotomy, but the goofy cop with catchphrase gets irksome fast. On the other hand, knowing what is to come, the gag with a mouse trap is comical in a sinister way. Here one side they are being tortured by a menacing presence (Saurabh Sachdeva) money lender who was womaniser and on the other hand a dismissive son who does not live with them, was being emotionally sacrificed, took out a large, unfeasible loan years ago to send him to USA for further studies, later on ungrateful NRI son ignored them as the elderly couple trying their best to muster up the courage to ask their son Guddu (Diwakar Kumar) to help them out financially and not even talking to their parents. At one point, Shambhunath laments 'Aise bache bache kise na mile … ji maa baap ko aise pareshani ko nahi samajhte (nobody get such children who do not understand the problems of parents)', He further goes on to say, ' Beti hoti toh phir baat hi kuch aur hoti ( If we had a daughter, it would have been a different story)', pushing it back to Baghban (God's) territory.
Well written movie with a very good plot twist that is very intriguing. Parents love their children unconditionally however, they must introspect in this regard too, providing everything to a son or daughter who doesn't know or understand their parents' pain. It portrays the anguish of disappointed parents. I was really shattered after seeing the movie. It was quite shocking to see the dirty politics and impotent police force. One scene was really kick in the teeth, in which the superintendent of Police was sobbing in the lap of his wife, explaining his incapability after being slapped by the MP. It was a movie, a fictitious story but more or less this incident is being repeated in every part of the third world country by our so-called leaders and respected MPs and MLAs. I will put this in context to Nepal as many recent corruption scandals have been connected to top leaders of major parties.
Corruption scandals are quite common in Nepal. Once the media raise them, lawmakers take them to the parliaments, make strong statements and put pressure on authorities to investigate them. Investigations are launched, but then the cases are over. The latest case has happened in Kathmandu, the then deputy PM Ishwar Pokharel is said to be the key dealer with the Omni Group that caused a corruption scandal in the purchase of Covid response materials (purchase of health equipment and called for tenders) in which he was abused and slapped; his image were torn apart and issues were raised by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office, which is directly under the prime minister. The office said that the procurement that happened under the eyes of the minister was not lawful. Even though the ministries said the procurement happened under special circumstances, the office said it could not find sufficient documents to support the claim. “Everything was done in haste. The minister issued a notice and a negotiation committee was formed and items were procured,” the then health secretary Yadav Koirala told the parliament’s Public Accounts Committee. Later, it was revealed that the deal with the Omni Group was a scam as everything was overpriced. Fingers were pointed at Pokharel and Health Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal and other officials for their alleged involvement in the corruption scandal and his supporters. Is it not shameful for democracy? People are always being motivated to abide by laws and these representatives of people are breaking these laws and showing how impotent system is and how important they are. Who can imagine that it is a peaceful and prosperous nation whose freedom is deep-rooted in truthfulness and nonviolence of Buddha.
Criminals have killed politics. Personally, in our university days whenever we saw a student, an expert in exploiting others with absurd thoughts, we predicted him to be a great politician in the near future. You can imagine what the outlook of common people is about politicians. To be convicted in some mardani (masculine) case seems to be an essential qualification for being a politician. If you have slapped a police; if you have led a protest march; if you have burnt effigy. Then, feel that you are on the right path to join politics. I am of the opinion that Nepal sees corruption scandals quite frequently. Yet, why don’t parties put them on their election agenda? But, it rarely happens in Nepal; it seems there is a consensus among them to not talk about corruption before the elections and these politicians who are going to represent our country; going to lead us to prosperity and happiness do not need any qualification, do not need unstained, spotless political image. Where are we leading, Democracy to autocracy?
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