Wikipedia

Pistulya

Pistulya is an Indian Marathi-language short film written and directed by Nagraj Manjule and jointly produced by Aatpat Production and New Arts DCS.[2] The film won National Film Award for Best First Non-Feature Film of a Director and Best Child Artist Award in Non-feature Film category at the 58th National Film Awards.[3][4] The film features Suraj Pawar in the title role, Vaishali Kendale, and Nagraj Manjule in pivotal roles. The film focuses on the story of a village boy, struggle to educate himself against the odds.[1]

Pistulya
Official release poster
Directed byNagraj Manjule
Written byNagraj Manjule (Story, Screenplay)
Produced byNagraj Manjule
Starring
CinematographyGargee Kulkarni
Kutub Inamdar
Edited byKutub Inamdar
Music bySantosh Khatmode
Production
companies
Release date
  • 2009 (2009)
Running time
18 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMarathi
Budget₹1.5 lakh[1]

Nagraj Manjule created the film as part of his mass communication course at Pune University, aiming to capture the ethos of a marginalized community living as tramps and address social stigma while expressing a desire for reform. The film was shot over two days in Ahmednagar, with a production cost of ₹1.5 lakh funded by Manjule's friends and family.

The film was screened at Vaanam Art Festival on 8 April 2023.[5]

Plot

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Pistulya, an 8-year-old boy from the backward Waddar community, burdened by his father's demise and his mother's solitary struggle to provide, finds himself ensnared in the allure of quick cash, falling into the clutches of local thugs. However, amidst his illicit endeavors in the village, a chance encounter with a school assembly scene stirs something profound within him. Observing peers of his age, clad in school uniform, reciting prayers, he glimpses a world beyond his current existence. Through the wire-meshed compound, a vision of a brighter future dawns on Pistulya. Remarkably, it's the memory of his younger sister, Lali, that kindles his aspiration for education, sparking a newfound determination to break free from the cycle of vice and pave a path towards a better life for both of them.

Cast

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  • Suraj Pawar as Pistulya
  • Vaishali Kendale as Laxmi, Pistulya's mother
  • Prashant Kamble as Bhiku Anna
  • Vitthal Bulbule as Maruti
  • Sanket Pavase as Sugrya
  • Nagraj Manjule as Ambadas

Production

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Development

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Manjule created the film as part of his mass communication course at Pune University. He mentions the challenge of capturing the ethos of a community living the life of tramps and dealing with social stigma, while also expressing a desire for reform. Nagraj credits his own life experiences for helping him achieve this effect within a 15-minute timeframe.[6]

Filming and casting

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The film was shot over a two-day period in Ahmednagar, with a production cost of ₹1.5 lakh, which was contributed by Manjule's friends and family.[2] The cast is drawn from Nagraj's own group of friends. He stated "It was perhaps easy for me to identify with the characters shown in the film, because I myself come from the Waddar community (those who hammer and break stone slabs) to which the protagonist, Pistulya, belongs."[7] Suraj Pawar was offered the role when the director visited his school in Karmala.[1] Nagraj intends to expand this 15-minute project into a full-length feature film to deliver a compelling social message that he believes will resonate with numerous marginalized and stigmatized communities across the country.[7]

Critical response

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Aishwarya Raj of The Mooknayak wrote "Instead of a happy ending or a sad ending, the film ends with hope, a bitter truth and a question."[8] A reviewer from The Indian Wire is highlighting the impactful storytelling of the short film. He emphasize how the film sheds light on the struggles and challenges faced by the protagonist, Pistulya, and his widowed mother. He also commend the unexpected yet effective ending of the film.[9]

Accolades

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Awards

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National Film awards[10]

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Other

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  • Maharashtra Times – Best Short Film Award
  • Aarohi Film festival Mumbai 2009 – Best Short Film and Best Actor Award
  • Nashik International Film Festival 2009 – Best Actor and Golden Camera Award
  • Hyderabad Film festival 2010 – Best Short Film Award
  • 20th IDPA Film festival Mumbai 2009 – Certificate of Merit
  • Pratibimb Short Film Festival, Ahmednagar 2009 – Second Best Short Film Award

Nominations

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "'My film reflects my own struggle for education'". The Times of India. TNN. 24 June 2011. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Marathi short film series explores mental health issues among youth, encourages discussions". The Indian Express. 21 September 2021. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  3. ^ "'Pistulya' wins debut short film award at 58th National film awards". Daily News and Analysis. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Sairat fame actor Suraj Pawar to be probed in cheating case filed in Ahmednagar - details inside". Zoom TV. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  5. ^ "'Pistulya'- A short film directed by Nagraj Manjule will be screened on PK. Rosy Film festival on 8 th April!". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  6. ^ "'Pistulya' depicts deprivation, undying urge for better life". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Pistulya's Deprivation Similar To Own Experience: Filmmaker". NDTV. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  8. ^ Raj, Aishwarya (23 May 2022). "पिस्तुल्या फिल्म रिव्यू: 8 वर्षीय बच्चे की पढ़ने-लिखने की ललक और सपनों के बीच उसकी सामाजिक आर्थिक पहचान के कारण आने वाली रुकावटों की एक कहानी". The Mooknayak (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  9. ^ "'Pistulya,' a short film that takes you deep into Love and Struggles for Education". The Indian Wire. 26 August 2020. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  10. ^ "'Characters are more important than actors'". The Hindu. 3 May 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  11. ^ "In Tough Times - Indian Express". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
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