DIFF : Gulabi Gang – rebels in the Pink

Candlelight protests!!Live debates!! Heavy speeches on women liberation!! Preachy status on social networking sites – Just when all these nonsencial hues are decolorizing as some heavy-framed middle-class hypocrisy, comes a Norwegian documentary about the Gulabi (pink) gang.

Based on a region of central India, Bundelkhand, it documents an unusual rebellion – the rebellions wearing pink saris – using words as their weapons – shouting for demand of rights – submitting petitions – haranguing corrupt officials. The rebellion marks the rise of the symbolic “pink” – a color depicting women. The strength of being “pink”. The fearless pride of women. They call it – Gulaabi Gang.

The sneering of policemen or the hefty bureaucrats cannot deter them from wresting out the justice for dalits. The cunning manipulation of the powerful hooligans and the stoic approach of the government for framing any case is no longer a shock for the countrymen. It has become regular news for us. An exception can be really a shocker. And, the documentary makes you face this in flesh and blood. Its raw. And, there comes the impact. The impact of unity of women against the injustice. Here comes the role of Sampat Pal – the group’s founder. The real rough and tough woman. Energetic. Honest. Idealist. Today you will see her protesting against a corrupt official. Tomorrow she will be seen investigating a young woman’s unusual murder. Dynamic!

It’s a very young group. The membership is increasing exponentially. Many loose ends are there to be tied up. Many fights are to be fought. Many miles are to be walked.

This is a gallant attempt from Nishita Jain. A talented documentary-director she is – has put in heart in every scenes of the film.

As a film it is decent. There are technical glitches. The mode is not perfect everywhere. But the cinematic language is there. There is humor. There is shock. There is utter depression. There are tears. And, there is the universal appeal of hope. That ties the scattered scopes of life. And, that is the winner here.

 After its primary release in Norwegian Short Film Festival on 13^th June 2012 and featuring in Dubai International Film Festival and International Women’s Film Festival of Creteil at France – the film has got long applauses and rave reviews. It has also been featured in festivals of Poland and Finland with sheer accolades.

This year it will be featured in the Dharamshala International Film Festival(DIFF) running from 24 – 27^th October 2013.

• About the Author

About Sankha Ghosh

Sankha Ghosh was never born in that 'City of Joy', never was a banker, never watched a Godard, never loved Kafka, never fell for that Solitary Reaper, never danced on a friend’s wedding, never fought for human rights, never had a crush at college and never ever aspired to work on a novel! Never was he as simple as this! #He wishes