Banarasi backdrop perfect for political thrillers, say filmmakers

With Varanasi turning into a hub for film shootings, it’s interesting that most movies being canned here have an important element of politics to them. Nearly half a dozen films made here have either characters with a political hue, a political subplot, or are simply a political thriller.
From Real To Reel
Filmmakers say that the area lends itself well to the intrigue of politics onscreen.According to director and actor Tigmanshu Dhulia, who essayed the role of a politician in Gangs Of Wasseypur, “UP is a very politically volatile state, several political movements have originated here. Varanasi and its vicinity is situated in an area where the intricate nexus between politics and gangsters is really heightened, which is of real interest to filmmakers. There are several real characters here, which make interesting reel characters and are also easy to adapt on the silver screen. So we see a lot of them appearing in films shot in Banaras.”
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Banaras without politics is unthinkable
Actor Rahul Bagga, the protagonist of Isshq Malang a film with politics as its backdrop that was shot in the city, says, “Banaras without politics is as unthinkable as is Mumbai without films. Just as films set in Mumbai often have characters inspired from Bollywood, similarly political elements figure in films based on Banaras. Banaras is the epicentre of politics, especially right wing politics, so it is bound to appear in films which have something to do with this area,” says the actor who was also seen in films like Love Shav Te Chicken Khurana and Mastram.
Films with political tones
Dharm (2007) Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) Ishq Malang (2015) Global Baba (2015) Ghoomketu (2015)
Yahan Par To Nukkad Nukkad Pe Politics Hai
According to actor Abhimanyu Singh who is the lead actor in Global Baba, a movie based on the nexus between politics and spirituality that was canned in the city, “Banaras is a complete package. You have the beautiful ghats, the vibrant streets. Despite being a small town it is not a flat or placid city. Even the people of the city are not only lively but also very well informed about politics. Yahan har nukkad pe politics discuss hoti hai aur ek chai ke pyale par sarkar banti aur girti hai. Politics is part of the demography here, so anything that is based on the city – whether it is films or any other creation - will either have political hues or characters,” says the actor who also featured in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela.
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Rajesh Ram Singh, director, who is currently shooting an untitled film in Banaras that has a character with a political background, says that the people in this area are very “politically vigilant.” “They keep a tab on the political events in the country and the state,” he adds, “I was really surprised that the driver who drove me from the hotel to the location was so well informed about the political scenario. While holding a discussion with me, he gave me some very interesting information about the politics of the area, which even I was unaware. There is enough fodder for filmmakers here to base their films on, which includes politics as well,” says the director.
Yahan par har koyee politically connected hai
Manoj Tewari, director of Global Baba, says that while politics may be everywhere, it is more visible here. “Even the children here are aware of what is happening in the political field. Everyone here is politically connected in some way or the other. Instead of hiding their connections they make sure others know about it. My film Global Baba is driven by the nexus between politics and spirituality. It revolves around fake babas and their association with politicians. Several instances in the film are based on real life incidents,” he says.
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