A still from ‘Daman’ Photo credit: Panorama Studios
An inspiring story of a fearless young doctor whose initiative helped reduce malaria cases in remote areas of Odisha. Daman A timely recipe for those who want to watch cinema with a reason.
Set in 2015, this is the Hindi version of the Odia drama that made headlines in November last year. Written and directed by Vishal Maurya and Debbie Prasad Lanka, Daman Babu Bhushan Mohanty stars as a young, wide-eyed doctor posted at the Janbai Public Health Center in a tribal area of Malkangiri district. As per state rules, medical graduates are expected to serve for five years in rural and tribal areas. Unable to cope with the challenges and hardships of the tough terrain, the upwardly mobile doctor decides to quit before the fight is even fought. However, a chance encounter with a young patient changes his mind and Siddharth’s enlightenment leads to an expedition covering 151 mosquito- and Naxalite-infested villages cut off from the mainland because the bridge What was supposed to come decades ago has stuck. red tape. Based on a real government program, the film shows how the commitment of various government departments can help solve a simple yet enduring problem.
Daman (Odia)
Director: Vishal Maurya, Debi Prasad Lenaka
Cast: Babu Bhushan Mohanty, Deepnavit Dashmohapatra
Run time: 121 minutes
Story: The film describes the journey. Sid, a young doctor posted in the cut-off area of Malkangiri district of Odisha is notorious for Naxal dominance and basic amenities.
While the natural beauty of the area, aptly captured by cinematographer Pratap Rot, draws us into the narrative, the portrayal of the villagers’ appalling living standards leaves us reeling. As a character in the film says, there is as much difference in living standards between the region and the rest of the country as there is between India and the US.
However, after giving us interesting snapshots of overloaded vehicles, a dilapidated PHC building, and a magician trying to extract Plasmodium falciparum from a young girl’s body, the script becomes like a well-meaning flowchart. comes up where the authors have changed some great quotes about the medical profession. In a screenplay.
Similarly Daman Documenting the government’s success story plays a well-meaning public service docudrama where a mosquito who derives his energy from superstition and ignorance is the real villain. Ignorance of the tribals is cited as the main reason why the government’s efforts took time to bear fruit. The total neglect of the region and the delay in development programs due to rampant corruption and a careless system finds only a passing reference. Also, the film touches on the complex Naxal problem of blocking the development of health infrastructure in a remote area with just a barge pole.
Babu Bhushan looks the part of an unsuspecting young doctor who grows old during a challenging assignment but strangely remains aware of the camera and his screen presence. There is a scene where Siddharth realizes that he looks like an outsider in the tribal belt and decides to do something about it. That effort remains as cosmetic as the second half of the film. There are no restrictions with Deepnut Dashmohapatra who dives into the role of a dedicated pharmacist who knows how to run long with legs tied. It’s the honesty of his performance and the honesty of the underlying theme that has the power to dispel the cynicism that permeates youth that keeps us invested in this simple endeavor. churning In Malkangiri
Daaman is currently playing in theaters.
