The Marathi film Khwada has won the national award. The story that deals with the burning issue of land acquisition rings true even more so, because it has been made by a farmer Bhaurao Karhade, who sold his land to bring his dream to life. Truly, entrepreneurship comes in different avatars, and knows no boundaries
dream is not a pleasant interlude between sleep and reality. It is that disturbing vision that refuses to allow you sleep till you put in your blood, sweat and tears to make it a reality.
Thirty-year-old Bhaurao Karhade would know. How and why else would this erstwhile farmer lad from Shirur sell his land to make a movie?. Fittingly enough, the story on the burning issue of land acquisition is called Khwada or obstacle. And sure enough, the obstacles in the making of this movie were many.
Bhaurao had zero background of either theatre or cinema, and no connections either; it was nothing short of madness to tread into such treachorous territory. But he did. Thereby scripting a success story beyond his wildest imagination.
Get this, the Marathi film that released on Dusherra has, in its kitty, a Special Jury Mention as well as an award for Sound Sync at the recently concluded 62nd National Award Ceremony. Besides this, the film has also won state awards for Best Debut Film Production, Best Rural Film, Best Costume Design, Best Rural Director and Best Make-Up. In 2015’s edition of Pune International Film Festival, Karhade bagged the accolades for Best Director. The film also won Best Film, Best Director, Best Debutante Actor, and Best Actor in a Negative Role at Prabhat Film Awards this year. And the cherry on the cake? The movie has more than recovered its money, running to almost full houses across Maharashtra, and is well on its way to becoming a hit.
“In my wildest dreams, I never expected this. But I knew we had made a film from the heart,” expresses Bhaurao. Made on a budget of Rs. 1.20 crore, Bhaurao’s personal investments adds up to Rs.90 lakh. He sold some portion of his land and then some more as the costs mounted. But he remained undettered.
Bhaurao, a farmer, had zero background of either theatre or cinema, and no connections either; it was nothing short of madness to tread into such treachorous territory. But he did. Thereby scripting a an award winning film, beyond his wildest imagination
He did not necessarily want to make a film on a farmer’s life, but he definitely wanted to highlight issues faced by village folk. “Th e idea of doing a screenplay came in bits and pieces. I have closely observed the nomadic life of the shepherd community and how they have to constantly relocate in quest of a livelihood. What I especially admired about the community is that they have remained true to their culture and customs right through the march of time,” he says.
Costs escalated, schedules got delayed, it was a new team, and a whole, new venture. But they persevered. First Bhaurao sold three acres of land, then another two. His ‘hero’ also did his bit by selling his truck to raise some more capital
He wrote a screenplay and showed it to a couple of noted theatre and film folk, who told him it was a well-written piece, but warned that direction was an entirely different ball-game. But he was firm he was going to wield the baton for his first venture.
He needed capital for that and the one thing he had was his family land. “Of course, my parents thought I was crazy. Everyone did. But I convinced them that we would make a film to remember,” he says
Soon, he roped in the support of theatre stalwart Shashank Shende, and one by one, the cast was finalised. With the exception of Shende, none had acted before.
Not the hero, not the villain, not the heroine. “But we overcame that little problem by doing intense reading and workshops,” says Shende.
The cast has Bhausaheb Shinde as the protagonist and Anil Nagarkar as the local goon, apart from Yogesh Dimbale, Rasika Chavhan, Vaishnavi Dhore, Chandrakant Dhumal, Prashant Ingale, Vaishali Kendale, Amol Thorat, Nana More, Hemant Kadam and Surekha.
Also, Chandrakant Raut is a co-producer of this film while Mangesh Jondhale is the executive producer.
Apart from the unique story, the attention to detail is staggering: the sound of dry leaves rustling in the wind and crumpling underfoot, the true blue village landscape, to say nothing of the authentic ‘Nagari bhasha’ or dialect typical of Ahmednagar district. “The screenplay and dialogues maintain the consistency which is so important if the film is to be believable. Otherwise the commercial cinema has four different members of one family speaking in different accents which just does not gell,” says Shende.
Friends and families rallied around, it was their dream, and they had to keep it alive.
And sure enough, this passion and commitment moved none other than noted Bollywood art director Chandrashekhar More (of Rock On! Happy New Yea, Dil Dhadakne Do and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara fame) to present the movie. “I was so touched by this Debutante director’s vision and passion that I had to do something to make the movie reach out to a vast audience,” he says. “I am an artist too and I know what madness is all about. He is also a very gift ed film-maker and deserves a chance.”
Even as Bhaurao finds acceptance as a maker of mettle, he is clear he will continue to tell stories that resonate with him. “I dont believe it is true that only glamour sells. Marathi cinema has phenomenal potential, steeped in the sheer vividness of cultures that are part of the soil,” he says.
He will also buy his land back, sometime soon.
By Kalyani Sardesai
