'Mehsampur' Won Grand Jury Prize In The India Gold Competition Category, MAMI Film Festival 2018!
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Inspired by the poetry of 14th century Kashmiri mystic Lalleshwari, also known as Lalla or Lal Ded, comes this timeless story of the nomadic shepherdess Laila. Although she becomes Tanvir’s wife, she attracts the attentions of the entire tribe, and especially of gendarme Mushtaq, who is determined to conquer her. Amidst the magnificent Himalayan landscape, where the police and military strictly monitor every movement and all borders, the pair exchanges amorous repartee that spins out of control. Stalking and seduction, mockery and temptation – director Singh takes inspiration from the folkloric model, right down to the narrative structure. Making use of the rustic language of classic Indian cinema, and with a score full of traditional motifs and songs, he unfurls his female protagonist’s path. The film is a tribute to a very modern female figure who takes her fate and her desires into her own hands. This film tells the tale of the proud and beautiful Laila.
Twelve-year-old Moti lives in the dusty Indian countryside of Thar Desert in Rajasthan—arid plains where goats and camels roam, and the land is still cultivated by hand. As a member of the Manganiar caste, he has grown up with music. Singing is part of his life, a way to tell stories and pass on traditions. Moti has considerable talent and attends a music school to get even better. It’s customary for his caste to perform for wealthy patrons, but Moti is uncomfortable with this. When he gets cast in a musical and goes on a world tour, his village treats him like a hero.
This is the story of a boy who’s the first person in his village ever to go abroad and spread the spirit of his people. Divided into chapters and punctuated by traditional Manganiar songs, Pearl of the Desert provides fascinating insight into the traditions, customs and etiquette of this Muslim caste. But above all, for Moti the adventure is a stage in his journey to find where he belongs.
Devrath arrives in Punjab for a film on the folk-singing duo Chamkila & Amarjot, who were assassinated for their songs in Mehsampur. Devrath's meetings with Chamkila’s associates don’t go as planned. Lal, a survivor of the assassination, begrudgingly agrees to accompany Devrath to Mehsampur. At his hotel Devrath rescues an actress from lechers and invites her to his room. Next morning she accuses him of sexual assault, and wants to be dropped home. Devrath doesn’t let her off the car, convincing her to play Amarjot in his film.
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Ashwatthama is a story of a child’s (Ishvaku) exploration of the myths, traditions and legends, which impacts him and becomes part of his curiosity when his mother tells him the story of Ashwatthama’s curse from Indian epic Mahabharat. One day Ishvaku finds a wounded man in the ruins in the ravines near his maternal village. The story of Ashwatthama suddenly becomes real for him.
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