‘Jhini Bini Chadariya’: Ritesh Sharma's film is a journey deep into the heart of Varanasi’s stark socio-cultural reality

The bustling city of Varanasi holds many secrets and when Ritesh Sharma decided to make his debut film on his hometown, especially exploring the uncharted territories, dark alleys, social scene and the uneasy choices people make while fighting the hardship of life it resulted in a though-provoking film like ‘Jhini Bini Chadariya’ (The Brittle Thread). Although the film has the potential to stir controversy because of the seriousness of the narrative Ritesh feels films like this should be made more for the greater good.

‘Jhini Bini Chadariya’ which received a lot of appreciation after its recent Kolkata screening follows a headstrong, feisty street dancer Rani who works hard to take care of her daughter while reclusive weaver Shahdab discovers a new world in his friendship with an Israeli tourist. Exploring the love and hate dimensions in the ancient city of Varanasi, their cultural and political identities come to the fore. Will the luminous fabric of our diversity soon turn into an iron curtain, dividing those who seem to belong and those who don’t? That’s what forms the crux of the film.

Having grown up in Varanasi, Ritesh who spent 13 years in theatre education and social activism is well aware that there is much more to this city than the holy pilgrimages. When asked what was the origin of ‘Jhini Bini Chadariya’ the young filmmaker says Varanasi being the dense cultural hub accurately reflects the state of the two major communities in India. “I grew up watching Varanasi from the other side of the river Ganges, in a calm suburb. The paradox of chaos and tranquility had always intrigued me: the noises of the temple bells, the conch-blowing during the aarti (prayers), the smoke from the cremations; and the steadiness of the river which flows undisturbed. The film was written during the period of my stay in the heart of Varanasi - all the characters, the scenarios, the political framework and the embroilment in the film are the result of my personal overview,” he explains adding that Kabir and Saadat Hasan Manto are the artists who have always inspired him, whose ideals are strongly and deeply forged in his core beliefs and they emboldened him to tell his story too.

When asked whether it worries him that such stories are becoming more and more commonplace, yet more and more difficult to talk about, considering the rise of right-wing nationalism and if he ever felt afraid to tell this story, Ritesh promptly answers Manto and Kabir gave him the inspiration to write this story. “There’s no space for fear, just for the true colors of the stories otherwise muffled by the global media. Cinema is the most beautiful kind of art one can use to connect with a vast international audience, and is the most accessible channel to reveal realities and expose alternative views, which is, in the end of the day, not for the governments to judge,” explains the filmmaker whose previous two documentaries ‘The Holy Wives’ and ‘Rainbows are Real’ received critical acclaim.

Since the documentary approach is so important for him, what are the real stories that come together with ‘Jhini Bini Chadariya’? The young filmmaker explains, “The people we show are in real life extremely interested in raising awareness about their issues. Muslim weavers community of Varanasi helped us with the research on their lifestyles and gave us workshops on looming, being the official team members. Some of them have acted as themselves in Shahdab’s story. The orchestra dancers I’ve met in the pre-production period became costume designers and trained Megha Mathur to play Rani, while we have held few acting workshops to film them in the dance scenes. During the shooting the whole crew lived in a big guest house, shared emotions and built a family where hierarchy or discrimination had no room. We stay in touch with the weavers and dancers communities, updating them about how their stories reach people around the world.”

The hard-hitting film had started its journey in 2019 as a part of NFDC Film Bazaar/Market Recommends. The World Premiere happened at the 34th Tokyo International Film Festival in 2021, and its Indian Premiere at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) earlier this year. Recently the film won the 'Best Debut Feature Film' award at the New York Indian Film Festival. ‘Jhini Bini Chadariya’ has also been screened at UK ASIAN film festival, Kolkata People's film festival, Habitat International Film Festival, Jogja Netpac Asian Film Festival, Dharamshala International Film Festival and Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.