Media & Politics

"Official Poster Of  Peepli Live"

What do you do, when you are a debt-ridden farmer about to lose your land? Enter into a small village name Peepli, where Natha (Omkar Das Manipuri) & Budhia (Raghuvir Yadav) who are struggling to keep their land. It’s when, Natha’s good - for - nothing brother encourages him to commit suicide, so that his family will be benefited from a government scheme. The movie is a satire comedy that touches the hot-button topic of farmer’s suicide.

Soon the story breaks to the media, government, bureaucrats, politicians, only to raise a question will Natha die or not? Soon the news organizations from all over the country swoop into the village to capture his death. It’s an excellent opportunity for news agencies to boost their TRP’s. The film explores the clinical & incongruous response of the Indian society showing how everyone has an agenda. Politicians take this opportunity to fill in their vote banks. One political party wants him to live, while another wants him to die and become a martyr for the society. "Natha marega, Natha jaroor marega," becomes the famous one liner in the media and politics. The movie talks about how the life of an individual doesn't hold any value, in the eyes of these people. 

"A Still From The Movie"

Director-writer Anusha Rizvi’s movie is simple yet makes a very powerful impact on the movie. She tries to show how the politicians and media work in contemporary India. The media is trying its level best to sensationalize the issue for their benefit in one way or the other. The politicians are busy playing the blame game. Different schemes from Lal Bahadur to Indira Yojana to Jawahar Yojana are being used by the rural politicians in power, to deal with the issue of Natha’s suicide. A dalit leadercalled Pappu Lal gifts Natha a huge television set, while an eager-beaver babu hands out a ‘Lal Bahadur (a hand pump) to the farmer. It’s amazing to see  how he has no use of either.

Natha becomes a celebrity and is surrounded by media 24/7. The poor man isn’t left alone even for one second. The whole village has become a political and media circus. The films theme number, 'Des Mera Rangrez Yeh Babu' asserts, surprises, and quriks lurk at every corner. The popular songs of the moive, 'Mehngayi Daiyan' sets a luminous aura in the movie.

In the final scene of the movie, we see Natha in a new world, covered in grime in a metro city;s construction site, having lost the battle of self- respect and dignity. The film ends by giving information to the audience that, "8 million farmers quit agriculture in India between 1991 and 2001." The movie focuses on a despair and doom. Even though the movie doesn't have a big star cast, yet keeps hold of the viewers. Many might find the content of the movie complex, yet it's a must watch. It will surely touch ones heart and make you wonder, weather to laugh or feel sad about the same.