GOVERNMENT – A FRANKENSTEIN MONSTER!

India is a country of stark contrasts and contradictions– as is evident from the disparity between the have's and have-not's. That is the topical exploration film-maker P. Sheshadri ventures out on in his National Award-winning movie: Beru ('ಬೇರು' meaning 'root'). He pits the weak 'n frail of society against the stout 'n strong in our “system” to produce this “helpless versus heartless” flick!

The result: A heady cocktail of creative genius!

The film uses satire as a potent weapon to portray the interplay of the powerless against the powerful. The ridicule is subtle, not aggressive; sarcasm nuanced, not abrasive. A delicate and perfect balance is struck between irony and humour!

Sheshadri features an exquisite blend of exaggeration and juxtaposition to parody the inefficiencies and inadequacies of our government. He depicts its flaws– corruption and indifference not excepted– and exposes the apathetic abuse of the law-abiding fringe... by, who else but our callous public servants! The ineffectiveness of honesty and uprightness of the weak is portrayed against the deception, indifference and skulduggery of those in power.

The film narrates the story of an old, poor folk artist, Gorvayya's efforts to save his house...or rather, hut, which has developed cracks, courtesy the roots of a huge adjoining tree. The humble, law-abiding man runs from pillar to post to get an official nod. But then, he is at the mercy of the merciless– local functionaries, who are busy creating the paperwork for demolishing a non-existent “bungalow”. Selfish, manipulative “babus” run riot to wreck havoc in the life of the helpless “aam aadmi”.

The two structures serve as metaphors for a society, wherein the eternal struggle between protective forces and destructive elements is playing out. The canvas of a creaky, self-serving system, wherein the honest too are pawns and puppets of circumstances, is vividly painted. Yet, several scenes in the film warm the cockles of your heart.

In the climax, Gorvayya's adopted girl child spits contemptuously at the manipulative, and manipulated, bureaucrat. It makes you conclude our “for-the-people” government has indeed degenerated into a “against-the-people” Frankenstein's monster.

The script and direction are excellent. Screenplay and cinematography are simple, but effective. The acting is adequate; standout performances are those of HG Dattatreya and TN Sitharam. The music rooted in folk is not fanciful, yet it is a veritable treat! Editing perhaps could have been a wee bit better.

Paraphrasing Lord Byron, the English poet, peer and politician, “Beru” has “governance for its theme and satire as its song”.

May we get to see many songs of the same ilk from P. Sheshadri's "album"!

I rate “Beru” 8.5 on 10!