Buddha in a Traffic Jam 2014
by
Vivek Agnihotri
NO MIDDLEMEN.
Is this the solution to the Naxal problem? (is this also not the solution to the farmers’ problems?)
What is the Naxal problem?
Is it just an armed rebellion by tribals demanding their rights?
Or has it graduated into big extortion business?
With the police, bureaucracy, politicians, naxal leadership, local businessmen, contactors all caught in an unholy nexus, vested interests have been created over decades.
These vested interests won't ever allow the tribals to reap the harvest of any well –meaning government policy. There is economic rationale in keeping them poor, backward and subjugated. Corruption has a self-sustaining logic.
Does social media have any role to play in this revolution? If the producer comes into direct contact with the buyer, he is sure to earn richer rewards, as the deal shall cut down on the middlemen’s share.
How long would it take technology to permeate the backward pockets of Bastar, or Jharkhand and Telangana? How many centuries before tribals wake up and embrace technology?
Social media is nothing to be scoffed at. It does have power. The power to destroy, as we saw in Egypt. And the power to upend the economic systems as Amazon has shown through online retail. And it proliferates like an epidemic.NO one really has the absolute power to tame it.
One may ridicule the solution that Vivek Agnihotri suggests. He talks about eliminating middlemen through the social media. But is there any other solution. That the rotten system can be reformed to deliver is just a wish that is not going to materialize anytime soon. If at all, activists have any option, it is to use media and internet in such a way that benefits can reach the exploited people. But are the activists really interested, or do they actually matter?
In a country where meaningful cinema has lost all meaning, this one is a noble effort, and howsoever simplistic or shallow the treatment might be, these two hours don't suck.
Arunodaya Singh is a fine actor. The way he mouths his lines and carries himself is a treat to watch. Off course, good schooling helps!! Arjun Singh's grandson was impressive in Mirch and Yeh Sali Zindagi as well. Quite impressed with his work!
Anupam Kher has done a decent job as well, so has Pallavi Joshi. Such films tend to fall into the trap of sermonizing, which Vivek Agnihotri manages to avoid to an extent. Not a great film, but then there is no harm in watching it.
#vivekagnihotri #buddhainatrafficjam #arunodayasingh #pallavijoshi #naxalism #anupamkher
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