The makers of Gujarati film “Hellaro” are back with a bang. Four years on, they are all set to release their second feature film, “Kamthan”, on February 2, 2024. “Kamthan” is based on popular Gujarati writer Ashwini Bhatt’s last of dozen-odd Gujarati novels, also called “Kamthan”. It revolves around the mess created by a thief, belonging to a denotified tribe — a community traditionally identified in the so-called civilised world as consisting of criminals.
This thief breaks into the house of a police inspector, Rathodsaheb, dropping in through the hole he creates in the rooftop. Baffled as to in whose house he has broken into, he decides to run away, stealing the cop’s uniform, pistol, medals, certificates and Rs 3,000 in cash. A hilarious tale, the story revolves around the types of manoeuvres Rathodsaheb undertakes in order to catch the thief, allegedly belonging to a criminal tribe.
Though an inspector, he can’t even register a legitimate complaint in the matter. Meanwhile, the story continues around how everyone, including the tea seller, the fruit vendor, the paan-galla owner, the police sub-inspector, and those at Dr Desai’s clinic, react to a terribly awkward situation that has arisen for the police inspector.
Released in 2019, “Hellaro” remains one of the most well-acclaimed Gujarati movies, woven around patriarchy, casteism and superstition in a remote water-scarce village of Kutch. Winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film at the 66th National Film Awards, it was officially selected as the opening film at the Indian Panorama, at 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), and nominated for the best debut feature film of a director at the film festival.
The film revolves around mess created by a thief, who happens to be a tribesman belonging to the so-called criminal community.
Known to be close to Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar, Ashwini Bhatt had the extraordinary ability to interact with his admirers and opponents alike. He would observe life in the minutest of details. He had stupendous ability to stand out in the most adverse situations. Owner of just one share of “Gujarat Samachar”, the highest circulated Gujarati daily, Ashwini Bhatt once stunned the paper’s shareholders’ meeting (and the owners), asking some of the most awkward questions, every time starting with the words “our company”!
