Jharkhand: Cops convey message against Maoism – in a film

The film “sensitises people about how Maoists exploit youths” and “exposes the deterioration of moral values within Left-wing extremists”.

A brainchild of former Jharkhand DGP Rajiv Kumar, who retired recently, and directed by Kolkata-based Nimu Bhaumik, the film largely stars police personnel, IPS officers and some Bengali actors. The former DGP, too, plays himself in a short role.

Kumar told The Indian Express, “It all started when I was DIG (Palamu) in 2002. I realised how Maoists exploit youths, particularly women. In order to sensitise people about it, I wrote a play, which was performed in the interior areas. In 2013, when the home ministry suggested we use things like movies to counter Maoist propaganda, I wrote a script. One thing led to another and the film was certified by January 2015. Now it has been released and it is great moment.”

The film tells the story of a young Maoist operative, who joins the rebels attracted by their ideology. He saves a woman gangraped by the extremists and falls in love. The woman convinces him to come back into the mainstream. The film was made on a budget of Rs 82 lakh.

“Nobody is interested in speeches. It is better to convey the message using popular media,” said Latehar SP Anoop Birthare, who has acted in the movie.

Apart from being released in a multiplex in Ranchi, the film was released in around 10 districts like Lohardaga, Jamshedpur, Koderma, Bokaro and Hazaribagh, besides some other Maoist-affected areas. It could not be released in Latehar because there are no theatres there.

Police spokesperson M S Bhatia, who is also IG (Operations), said: “There were some teething problems with distributors and exhibitors, as we are not professionals in this field. But now we will do everything possible to advertise the film.”