Bharat Bala comes up with a documentary, Meendum Ezhuvom, about lockdown in India

Bharatbala, who produced the acclaimed album Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana Video has come up with a four-minute film titled Meendum Ezhuvom (We Will Rise) that captures the nation in lockdown. In a statement, the director said, “This is an extraordinary time in our history, one that must be documented for posterity. Generations ahead need to see how their nation of 1.3 billion came to a complete halt in the face of an unprecedented pandemic in the modern era.”
While all Indians stayed in lockdown, Bharatbala and a devoted team of 117, comprising about 15 film crews, set out to capture the unseen visuals of the nationwide lockdown.The crews filmed the lockdown across 14 states, covering thousands of kilometres, to document this watershed moment of global history. The film spans the extents of the country, from Kashmir to Kerala, Gujarat to Assam.
On the making of the film, the filmmaker stated, “A master control room was set up in Mumbai, with a team working round the clock, coordinating with all the crews from across the country. The on-ground crews were directed live by himself, confirming the shots and frames with instructions via video call or WhatsApp video. Technology played a key role in this nationwide project brought to life through remote filming.”
Bharatbala added that he captured an overwhelming stillness, desolation even in the most stunning vistas. He further mentioned that underlying this desolation is that sliver of hope, the spirit of Meendum Ezhuvom- a tribute to this nation of vastness, of power and presence, and of scale.
He adds that as we move ahead from the period of lockdown, India will slowly get back to life and go forth into an uncertain future. He stated, “But we will remember this time and our collective human experience in the face of this historical time. We must never forget.”
Meendum Ezhuvom is Bharatbala’s new clarion call, for India to rise once again. He added that Meendum Ezhuvom is the collective effort of a large number of people who have risked their lives in a difficult time to bring together this piece of work, and the Govt. of India, local and state authorities provided immense support in providing free access to bring together this national endeavour.
The documentary will release on June 6.