With no big names, Ashish Vidyarthi and Suhasini on the posters, you might want to walk into another screen for a commercial and a more interesting stuff, but wait and think for a second and watch this Minigurulu . It’s a fun film, thought provoking yes, but not too preachy either. It urges you to take a more compassionate stand towards the visually challenged without seeking sympathy. A young boy who dreams of becoming a director some day shoots a small film but loses his sight while editing it in an accident. Unable to take care of him, his poor parents hand him over to a hostel meant for similar children.
With his dream aborted, Raju (Deepak Saroj) struggles to come to terms with the appalling conditions in the hostel and the inhuman treatment by the warden and the female care taker who siphon off the funds that come as government grant for the children’s education. The helpless tutor asks the children to adjust with it but Raju doesn’t give up and sows the seed of revolt. One doesn’t need eyes to dream he shows; with courage and persistence, the children acquire a camera and record the treatment and the pathetic living conditions in the hostel, all supervised by Raju.
They take the CD to the district collector Kiranmayi (Suhasini); Meeting her and getting her to watch it is another challenging task. Minugurulu means fire flies, they live in darkness and illuminate, the director has used an apt title to put forth his thoughts to the audience. The storyline is fresh, intention pure and noble, the team who have contributed to the concept, treatment and execution have done a very good job. However despite the short runtime, sharper editing could have made it picture perfect.
Though the plot is serious, the tone is light. The visually challenged find hope and humour and spread a spirit of camaraderie even in abject poverty and a hostile environment.
Whether it is a small boy talking incessantly over a dead phone to his mother or a teenaged girl finding succour in her songs and watering plants, the group breaking into peals of laughter and happiness on ‘watching’ cricket on television, every scene strikes a chord and makes a statement. The writing, music, back ground score and performances - all are in tandem with the script and give it a realistic and a natural feel. For instance, the warden (Ashish Vidyarthi) asks his companion “ Emev nannu pelli chesukuntava ?” The reply is “Manam kuda neeti tho bathikesthe samajam siggu tho sacchipothundi, manakidhe correct ” is a take on lack of opportunity of a physically perfect human being to be good and spread goodness. A remarkable piece of work that needs to be seen, enjoyed and encouraged.
MINUGURULU
Cast : Deepak, Ashish Vidyarthi, Suhasini
Direction : Ayodhya Kumar Krishnam Setty
Music : Josyabhatla Sharma
Genre : Social Drama
Plot : Visually impaired make a film that changes their life
Bottomline : A combination of smiles and satisfaction
