'PAAN
SINGH TOMAR'S' QUEST FOR JUSTICE CONTINUES
'Paan
Singh Tomar', the biopic on the life of an athlete and soldier from
the ravines of Madhya Pradesh was widely appreciated on its release
in march last . Though the film was ready for release for one year
but owing to the reasons best known to its producers the UTV the film
was not released. It is believed that the production house was unsure
of its commercial success and therefore did not want to invest on
print and publicity and was even contemplating only a DVD release.
Therefore when it did release the film it was a limited release and
many prominent towns even in Madhya Pradesh such as Gwalior were left
out. But, the people accorded the film a rousing reception and it was
then the producers realized that they had a 'gem 'in hand which they
had kept in hiding. Therefore as in his lifetime so in celluloid Paan
Singh had to struggle for justice and the people and the critics
provided justice to it. The film was trending on Twitter for weeks!
It was a sort of Poetic justice for Paan Singh Tomar as well as for
the director Tigmanshu Dhuliya who had nursed and nurtured the
subject for many years but was being stifled by the corporate
indulgence.
It
happens in only few cases but when the society acknowledges the
actions and life of the protagonist the film attains its ;social
purpose' and rises from the level of mere entertainment. 'Mother
India', 'Munna Bhai MBBS/Lageraho' 'Tare Zameen Par' are such other
films. Having received praise from the people which is the core issue
at the end of the year various media houses hold award functions to
honour films in various categories. However it is evident that the
chief purpose of these organisations is to muster Stars and make them
perform in order to sell the same to TV channels at higher rate , the
channels too await such events to enhance TRP and the stars too get
publicity and so all the main parties are benefited in cash or kind,
in the process though 'fairness' in selection of films and according
of award gets defeated. But despite the existing deficiencies film
makers and cine goers alike await for the event and expect 'truth to
prevail'.
The
first awards were given by Zee TV on the 6th of Jan and
'Paan Singh Tomar' received award for its 'dialogues' only, a token
recognition. Next the 'Screen' awards were given away on the 12th
of Jan and the jury did recognize the film by adjudging it the best
film of 2012 which was an immense acknowledgment as the competition
this year was tough . The lead actor Irfan Khan also received the
best actor's trophy along with Ranbir Kapoor and the screenplay too
was awarded. However, the oldest Institution- 'Filmfare' did not even
nominate 'Paan Singh ' for best film/director category, one expected
it to win the critics award for best film but that too went to 'Gangs
of Wassepur'. A token award for screenplay and critics award for best
actor to Irfan were the only solace. Filmfare was never known to be
fair but such insensitivity was also not expected.
As
I have stated above that despite the frivolousness of the award
system when an institution awards a film it not only recognizes the
good work of the cast and crew but also acknowledges the 'subject'
the 'social cause' of the film .The film 'Gandhi' by Richard
Attenborough was awarded numerous Oscars much for the talent of the
team but also for the subject of 'nonviolence' the film advocated.'
Slumdog millionnaire' was awarded much for the skills of Danny Boyle
but also for the subject of 'downtrodden' the film portrayed.
Similarly 'Paan Singh Tomar' was lauded far and wide commercially and
critically much for the commitment and talent of the cast and crew
but also for the subject of 'justice' and 'struggle' it put forth. It
is a rare film which is included in the the school subject of CBSE
for value education along with 'Mother India' and others.
Distinguished columnist such as Shiv Vishvanathan and Harsh Mander
wrote praising the film in their columns.
Therefore
'Paan Singh Tomar's' quest for justice continues as it is the quest
of all such people who seek 'fairness' and 'equity' in life.
