Identity crisis

Mazhar Kamran’s “Mohandas” focuses on the day-to-day issues of rural India.

THE QUEST: Nakul Vaid plays “Mohandas”.

Every Friday sees a flurry of new releases, but hardly have we got to see a film that reflects the real issues. Mohandas, releasing Friday, appears to be one such film.

At a press conference held recently in Marwah Studios, Noida, the caste and crew of Mohandas discussed their unusual film. On hearing the title, most people would think that it is yet another drop in the sea of films made on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. However, Mohandas traces the life of a person working in the coal mines of Madhya Pradesh whose identity is stolen by a stranger.

The entire plot is centred on the protagonist, Mohandas, played by Nakul Vaid, a successful model whom we have seen in small roles in films like

Ab Tak Chhappan . His better half is played by Sharbani Mukherjee, Kajol’s cousin, who is still waiting for that crucial career-defining role. The talented Sonali Kulkarni will be seen in the garb of a journalist while Sushant Singh is once again portraying shades of grey in the film.

The film depicts the struggle of a villager for something basic, which is usually taken for granted — one’s own name and identity. “These days when movies are being made for an urban audience by urban filmmakers, Mohandas attempts to reach out to rural India where 70 percent of the population lives. It focuses on their day-to-day issues and triumphs,” said Sushant.

Director Mazhar Kamran is making his debut with the film. An established cinematographer, Kamran is known for his work in Satya. Kamran says that he was a reluctant cinematographer. “This surreal and bizarre concept forced me into direction,” he remarks. Kamran says Uday Prakash, who has penned the script, claimed that it was a real life experience from his own village.

Talking about her character, Meghna Sengupta, an intrepid correspondent working for a Delhi-based news channel, Sonali says that her character represents today’s generation that is sensible but does not have the time to do anything for the society. “Shivaji chahiye lekin mere ghar mein nahi, padosi ke ghar mein,” is how she describes the ideology of people today. Meghna, however, is a thinking journalist.

A strong film with strong characters, Mohandas promises to be a cut above the typical commercial Bollywood flicks.