The name itself "Bahadur: The Accidental Brave" not only demeans the valour in the word ‘Bahadur’ but also discredits the status of Nepali citizens in the international scene.
The documentary is about a rather unfortunate trend prevalent in Achham, Nepal’s far west. Men—particularly youths—from most families are seen leaving their homes and loved ones in search of jobs and better opportunities in India, and upon returning, are found to have brought with them HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The infection is then passed on to their wives and children, a catastrophic consequence, which often further leads to their ostracism from society.
This issue of youths leaving for the big cities of India in pursuit of their dreams but subsequently finding their futures shattered gains insight in the new documentary titled Bahadur: The Accidental Brave directed by acclaimed Indian director and scriptwriter Aditya Seth. The film was screened on Friday at the Sarwanam Theatre in Kalikasthan.
The 65-minute documentary takes a comprehensive look into the roots and repercussions of what has been a decade-long trend among Achhami youth. And it isn’t something restricted to this region. In fact, similar cases have come up in other villages of western Nepal such as Doti, Dailekh, Surkhet and Bajura.
Owing to tenuous economic conditions, brought on primarily by the unstable socio-political state of the country, Nepali youths have long been compelled to migrate to India to seek work. The jobs they find are generally menial, as dish-washers, security guards or housekeepers in various companies or hotels. And prone to loneliness, they often frequent the kothis (brothels) that are in abundance in any city—Mumbai, for instance, has many such operations—unaware of the potential risks that they are undertaking. The documentary demonstrates how these cases are so widespread that locals have their own phrase to describe the infection—Mumbaiya Rog (the Mumbai disease) as it is called.
The interaction session, which followed the screening of the film, was rather confronting, where the director came under attack for what guests perceived as an insensitive portrayal of nationality. “The documentary is most offending and has raised the question of nationality. The name itself—Bahadur: The Accidental Brave—should be removed, as the phrase not only demeans the valor in the word ‘Bahadur’ but also discredits the status of Nepali citizens in the international scene,” said NP Upadhyaya.
Despite pressure from guests—who comprised largely of Nepali intellectuals—Seth remained adamant about the integrity of his work. “I am a filmmaker, I am pretty sure I have done full justice to my craft,” he said. “It is my duty to depict the realities of any society through the lens of my camera, and I’ve done just that here. I don’t think this documentary triggers, in any way, controversial national issues.”
This issue of youths leaving for the big cities of India in pursuit of their dreams but subsequently finding their futures shattered gains insight in the new documentary titled Bahadur: The Accidental Brave directed by acclaimed Indian director and scriptwriter Aditya Seth. The film was screened on Friday at the Sarwanam Theatre in Kalikasthan.
The 65-minute documentary takes a comprehensive look into the roots and repercussions of what has been a decade-long trend among Achhami youth. And it isn’t something restricted to this region. In fact, similar cases have come up in other villages of western Nepal such as Doti, Dailekh, Surkhet and Bajura.
Owing to tenuous economic conditions, brought on primarily by the unstable socio-political state of the country, Nepali youths have long been compelled to migrate to India to seek work. The jobs they find are generally menial, as dish-washers, security guards or housekeepers in various companies or hotels. And prone to loneliness, they often frequent the kothis (brothels) that are in abundance in any city—Mumbai, for instance, has many such operations—unaware of the potential risks that they are undertaking. The documentary demonstrates how these cases are so widespread that locals have their own phrase to describe the infection—Mumbaiya Rog (the Mumbai disease) as it is called.
The interaction session, which followed the screening of the film, was rather confronting, where the director came under attack for what guests perceived as an insensitive portrayal of nationality. “The documentary is most offending and has raised the question of nationality. The name itself—Bahadur: The Accidental Brave—should be removed, as the phrase not only demeans the valor in the word ‘Bahadur’ but also discredits the status of Nepali citizens in the international scene,” said NP Upadhyaya.
Despite pressure from guests—who comprised largely of Nepali intellectuals—Seth remained adamant about the integrity of his work. “I am a filmmaker, I am pretty sure I have done full justice to my craft,” he said. “It is my duty to depict the realities of any society through the lens of my camera, and I’ve done just that here. I don’t think this documentary triggers, in any way, controversial national issues.”
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