Shyam Benegal, the veteran filmmaker has ventured into comedy with his latest film ‘Welcome to Sajjanpur’ after long years in the industry.
The film is a unique effort to represent a village with all its socio-political problems by this veteran. He presents all the serious issues with an added pinch of humour. An educated youth ‘Mahadev’ of the village played by Shreyas Talpade dedicates his learning writing letter for the fellow villagers as he fails to get a job in the city.
Benegal has given a pure rustic touch to the whole set and the cast. Shreyas has made alive the character of Mahadev with all perfection in the accent of speaking that language of the villagers. Even Amrita Rao has performed her part best as Kamala, a young married bride who is waiting since four years for husband to come and take her to Mumbai. She is a symbol of those village women who cannot speak out their heart and can only obey the orders of their husband.
The political scenario of the village is also presented very nicely. The ex- ‘sarpanch’ of the village is an illiterate person, who takes help of Mahadev to write a letter to the District Collector. From the words of this person, Benegal tries to show the political condition as the person says that it does not matter whether a person is educated or not, one can become a chief minister. The ex- ‘sarpanch’ even nominates his wife as a contestant for next sarpanch election, who is convicted of murdering her own daughter.
On the other side, a eunuch is shown trying to improve the political scenario of the village by contesting against the criminal wife of the ex sarpanch. Mahadev is aware of the entire situation and tries to contribute in this revolution by writing letter for the eunuch to the collector when the rival tries to frighten the eunuch.
Benegal also tried to touch another sensitive issue of widow remarriage, which is considered as a sin in a village like Sajjanpur. He presents it through the daughter in law of a retired army man of the village. A compounder of the village hospital wishes to marry her but at the end it is shown how the cruel villagers of their cast killed them hanging on a tree.
In this era of special effect and urbanization of the film industry, the veteran director has rejuvenated the village life with a simple and rustic touch. Illa Arun is shown as a superstitious village women, who is worried to get her ‘Mangalik’ daughter (played by Divya Dutta), married. She even becomes ready to get her wedded with s dog to remove the so called fault in her life. But, Divya plays a contemporary well groomed girl, who knows what is good for her and refuses to marry a dog.
The music of the film is also soothes ears and cinematography is appreciable. Overall, it is a must watch movie for the cinelovers. But, the viewers cannot expect an item number or sizzling act but definitely an entertaining piece.
