Bhavni Bhavai (1981)

Interesting facts

Bhavni Bhavai is a 1980 Gujarati film directed by Ketan Mehta, starring Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Smita Patil, Mohan Gokhale, Benjamin Gilani. It tells the story of untouchability through folklore and Bhavai.

Production

After graduating from the Film and Television Institute of India, Ketan Mehta was working for a satellite channel. Through his travels in villages, he came across the problems faced by rural population, specifically untouchability. He also came across Dhiruben Patel's play Bhavni Bhavai, — which back then was performed as a Bhavai — and decided to turn it into a movie. He was also inspired by Achhutno Vesh, a Bhavai performance.

Naseeruddin Shah initially declined the role, because of his previous experience of working with Ketan Mehta, when the latter directed Eugène Ionesco's play The Lesson for him. Ketan Mehta persisted and Naseeruddin finally agreed to do it because of his liking for the film, though he was hesitant about playing the role of a "Bumbling Raja".

Ketan Mehta filmed Bhavni Bhavai with distancing effect and the use of comic characters. Hence, the film is dedicated to Bertolt Brecht and Goscinny, the creator of Astérix. It is also dedicated to the inventor of the Bhavai, Asaita Thakar, who was a Brahmin outcast and lived among the lower caste communities. The Bhavai evolved into one of India's most energetic folk music and dance-dramas.

The chief theme of the film is struggles of Harijans. The film also presents a medieval story in modern ways. Instead of linear story, it has a circular structure.

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