A Struggle between Existence and Dominance

by team m4m

Pratiksha Mungekar and Kishori Shane

Khairlanji is not an isolated incident, it is a mentality. It is the repercussion of an age old struggle between search for existence and dominance, director Raju Meshram defined his film Khairlanjichya Mathyawar. Team members of the film, lead actors Kishori Shahane, Anant Jog and producer Kalpana Saroj, were present in Pune today, along with Meshram. The film also stars Milind Shinde, Dr. Vilas Ujawane,Tukaram Bidkar and Pratiksha Mungekar in important roles.

The film is based on the 2006 incident in Khairlanji village of Maharashtra, in which four members of a Dalit family were brutally killed following a land dispute. Two females of the family were paraded naked and allegedly raped before the murder. Shedding light on the incident, Meshram said, “There is a lot of ambiguity over the details of the incident. We have tried to go to the depth and give a message to the society.” He also added that the motive of the film is to highlight that such incidences have not stopped occurring in the society.

Speaking about her character, Sujata Parasmange, Shahane said that she had a responsibility while playing the character, “I am portraying such an aggressive character for the first time. She is rural, uneducated woman but with progressive thoughts undertaking developmental works in the village,” she elaborates. To look and be the part, Shahane said that she inculcated a man-like walk, bore a rough, tanned complexion and learnt the zadipatti – the local dialect. Language was also a special factor for Jog. “Meshram was our guide when it came to language. He helped us with every word during dubbing,” said Jog.

The music of the film has been done by Anand Modak and the theme songs have been sung by

Ravindra Sathe and Ajay-Atul. The film will be released on February 7 all over Maharashtra. Saroj expressed plans to dub the film in Hindi, Tamil and English also. Explaining the motives behind producing the film, she said, “I haven’t made it with any commercial angle. I feel I have a responsibility towards society. The atrocities on women refuse to cease in our society and they need to be highlighted.” Saroj, a Padmashree Awardee, is the CEO of Kamani Tubes, Mumbai.

Meshram, at the occasion, cleared his stand on the fresh controversy of Bhaiyalal Bhotmange accusing the film of incorrect portrayal of his family. Bhotmange is the head and the only survivor of the deceased family. “The incident is a national one. Bhotmange has not documented it or taken the copyrights of it. We have taken cinematic liberty and even the family’s surname has been changed,” said Meshram.

Watch the Trailer of 'Khairlanjichya Mathyawar'

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