Demonetisation. Yes, the most controversial word of 2016 which created ripples not just in India, but all over the world. Umpteen videos, short films, debates, discussions tried to dissect and decipher the economic concept which came as a jolt for confused Indians.
Now, get ready for a full length feature film which will delve deeper into the issue. And it just got released in the theatres today.
What is the film about?
Bengali film named “Shunyota” (Emptiness) is based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation drive attempts to portray the impact of currency ban on the common man. The movie directed by Suvendu Ghosh features Arun Guhatharkurta, Arindol Bagchi and Debesh Roy Chowdhury as lead characters.
Watch the trailer here:
The film is woven around three different stories that talks about the un-addressed and undiscovered effects of the recent demonetisation drive. More so, it also deals with how this economic move affected the undercurrents of personal relations.
ScoopWhoop News spoke to the director Suvendu Ghosh, who mentioned that there was a “consolidated effort” to block the release of the film. “My film talks about the way demonetisation affected the lives of a cross-section of people. I talk about a villager who is saving money for her daughter’s wedding. I talk about a man in hospital who is suddenly helpless without cash. I based my films on various stories I heard and read about,” says Ghosh.
Initially scheduled for release on March 31, the movie got stalled by the regional office of the Censor Board. “They called me to their office and told me that my film has been sent to Mumbai for further certification. Which is really weird. I was anyway accepting a U/A Certificate,” says Ghosh.
On April 1, the board then granted the movie a U/A certification after recommending six cuts. The deleted scenes included comments on demonetisation effects by principal characters like “death procession”, “big fishes” and some comments between a mother-daughter, which the Censor Board suggested to be deleted or kept mute with a beep.
Though disappointed, director Ghosh said, “I will abide by that. I have to accept what they say. I wish my work be finally seen by the general audience.”