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The divergent paths of poppy farmer Vardibai and her activist son Mangilal intertwine in this powerful documentary about a Dalit family’s resistance against systemic oppression. As Vardibai nurtures her poppy cultivation with her grandsons, Mangilal fearlessly confronts corrupt officials, his actions contributing to the successful jailing of high-ranking members of the Narcotics Bureau. His campaign brings temporary triumph, then devastating consequences when authorities revoke his mother’s farming licence, plunging the family into deeper hardship. The film’s exquisite cinematography creates a striking visual contrast—Vardibai’s intimate relationship with her crops is juxtaposed with Mangilal’s technology-driven activism. Their moral dilemma crystallizes around a painful choice: continue bribing officials so they can survive, or fight for systemic change at tremendous personal cost. As tensions escalate within the lower-caste household, we witness this profound truth: neither traditional farming nor modern protest alone can address their complex challenges. This multilayered narrative transcends its Indian context to explore universal themes of justice, family and the human cost of standing up against institutional power. Gugi Gumilang.

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Credits

  • Director(s)

    • Vivek Chaudhary
  • Producer(s)

    • Vivek Chaudhary
    • Xavier Rocher
  • Executive Producer(s)

    • Vivek Chaudhary
  • Writer(s)

    • Vivek Chaudhary
  • Editor(s)

    • Camille Mouton
    • Tanushree Das
  • Cinematography

    • Mustaqeem Khan
  • Composer

    • Yogendra Saniyawala
    • Biju Nambiar
    • Swati Minaxi
    • Gaurav Kapadia
  • Music

    • Vivek Chaudhary
  • Sound

    • Vivek Chaudhary

Promotional Partners

International competition supported by

Donner Canadian Foundation

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