Jamal's Swaraaj: A dig at democracy

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">KOLKATA: Two universal themes -- drinking water problem and the patriarchal leanings of democracy -- woven together in a Rajasthani backdrop that faintly reminds one of <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Lagaan</span>, make for upcoming film-maker Anwar Jamal''s first feature production <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Swaraaj</span>.<br />With a name that smells purely Indian and a storyline that amply reflects the youthful director''s documentary making background, <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Swaraaj</span> opened to critical acclaim from the international audience at the Kolkata Film Festival here on Wednesday.<br />So much so that, immediately after the screening it was chosen by the foreign delegates to fly to at least three more international screenings including one at the prestigious Munich International film festival.<br />The ninety-minute saga of a small village in Rajasthan where four persevering women''s search for precious water takes them through an arduous journey through the male-dominated panchayat system, bureaucratic red tape and personal traumas has been inspired by the real life story of a woman ward member of Madurai.<br />"A silent revolution is building up in hundreds of villages across this country where women want to assert their place in a lop-sided panchayat system," Jamal said after the screening.</div> </div>