In recent times it is pretty much common practice to craft a grassroots level story and crack it to the audience. It is not likely that the success ratio is pretty high; on the opposite, it is a hardcore process while you are trying to connect with the audience. Making something emotional always asks for improvisation with the feelings, crafting a storyline that will help the audience relate and indulge. These are some of the things that need to be taken care of before creating such integrity in the build-up.
Today, we are going to discuss indie filmmakers and their tools to go towards the roots of Indian cinema. Recently, “Panchayat” Season-2 was released on Amazon Prime Videos. It doesn’t take a toll to say that many of us liked it very much. Some of us may have liked the first season more, but anyway, the point is, it created an atmosphere of empathy all around. From the inspiring ending of the first season to the saddening hint at the end of the story, it all drives the audience quite emotionally.
Not only “Panchayat” but also “Killa,” “Court,” “Village Rockstars,” “Parched,” and “Masaan” have one thing in common: the filmmakers’ desire to reconnect with their cultural roots. Our roots are cordially founded on the tapestry of broken little things which we always fail to gather yet never stop regretting. If you look closely at these films and series, you’ll notice unhealed bruises, unburdened weight, and the never-ending spirit of survival. That’s us; that’s our root. This is one of the many reasons why these genres connect more with our empathy than anything else.
So, in many words, filmmakers use some techniques to provide a unique nature in their storytelling while making these sorts of works. You have already understood one thing: to create such projects, one needs to have a clearer view of the roots. If anyone misses the soul, it would be pretty hard to connect the audience with the root of the story. So let’s discuss some of the brilliance that indie filmmakers brought, starting with “Killa,” one of the finest works of fiction.
Why Is ‘Killa’ Considered To Be One Of The Finest Ever…?
To answer the question, one of the simple ramifications used in these films can be exaggerated through the expression of self-explanatory ordain. Let’s only talk about the change Chinmay faced during the facades of his life…! Why the facade? To be very precise, Chinmay lost his father at a very young age, and his mother is a working woman, so he doesn’t get the parents’ affection without the dinner table. He develops his roots through small things like writing letters to his cousin or making a pet out of a dog from nowhere.
So, when this boy starts becoming friends with someone, he expects a lot from the other side too. So, while on a rainy day they raced up to the ‘Killa,’ Chinmay separated himself from the others and found shelter under a roof inside the ‘Killa.’ As the rain starts to fade away, Chinmay comes out and finds that his friends are gone. That’s when the façade began. The change in his behavior suddenly became more recognizable as he started to disbelieve anything and everything until one day he came across a fisherman, sailed in the sea, and realized, in the world full of disbelief and arrogance, ‘a mother’, ‘a friend’ are the ones to keep. We can only hold onto something hopeful rather than making a fuss about disbelieving everything’s existence.
To make a mark through a child’s brain was what made “Killa” a standalone movie in recent times. The bona fide simplicity in the portrayal of even the arrogance was so smooth that you’ll find comfort in watching every bit of this film. The music has its own tenderness. The part where Chinmay makes his memories with new friends was one of the most established plots anyone has ever witnessed. On top of everything, the use of the metaphor, “Killa,” to sustain the world of Chinmay at its own clientele, makes the words “brilliant, mesmerizingly amusing” at the same time.
Now let’s discuss a series like “Panchayat.” What happens in this series is relatable to a generation of people who are introduced to OTT. When Season 1 took place, when Abhishek Tripathi was selected as Secretary for the village, a mass of students could relate to that situation. Failing MBA exams, not liking the job at hand, trying hard to cope with the curriculum… all these were dealt with by someone in a village while he or she was watching “Panchayat” on Prime.
So, What Made ‘Panchayat’ Such Poetry In Its Own Narrative Style?
“Panchayat,” first of all, is a series made with impenetrable love and care. The characters were crafted with so much grassroots philosophy that the audience could relate to an instance. Take ‘Pradhan Ji’ as an example. The guy demands respect for the position he holds, but there is a mixture of sentiments regarding him in the village. He scolds his woman; at the same time, he fears her angry glance. He makes mistakes like no other, but even so, he submits to his flawed nature without being adamant about it. Just like the old man in your house, who adores you very much, shares bourbon with you, yet carries a number of flaws. You just have to love him no matter what.
The story was strongly captained by ‘Sachiv Ji,’ played by Jitendra Kumar, who is an iconic young actor admired by all the students of India basically. This character is there to take care of every mistake while pushing himself every day toward his dream of being a part of the corporate world. Earning more money just like his friends has been a motivation for him, yet he never lacks the inspiration to provide for the village. The man is a representation of frustration, anger, and also carries the truest value of friendship and caring. These are the roots, aren’t they? So, tell me, why won’t we relate?
These are the ipso facto requirements for this sort of filmmaking. Creating a scenario that the audience can’t escape without getting emotionally attached. The use of local tones as music provides enough harmony so that the bridge remains intact. The simple angles are what make these films closer to my heart. Be it the light or the sound effects, everything in these productions remains so subtle and simple that, as an audience, you get the vibe of the simplicity of life every time you visit any frame. The rule is simple, as, in these films, filmmakers never overdo.
