History has seen many rebellious women from the Joan of Arc to Harriet Turban. From Rani Laxmi Bai to Savitribhai Phule. All of these women have went ahead to change the world in their own way, they changed the dynamics of society. There were countless times when even in my life that my decisions were influenced deeply by the women around me. This story brings to you such a rebellious women who is still unknown to many, whose rebellion managed to wake an entire country , spread like wildfire after her death and then subsided (or was it suppressed , who knows?)
The story of “In the name of Tai” revolves around the real life story of Navleen Kumar, a human rights activist who had been working for over a decade to protect and restore tribal – adivasi lands in the nalasopara area of Maharashtra, near Mumbai. She lobbied and revolted against the land mafia. People who used to work with knew that she would be killed sooner or later. And she had already escaped several attempts on her life and the last and the most lethal of them which took her life
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Marathi actress Dr.Nishiganda Wad potrays the role of Sandhya Purushottam, lovingly called by the villagers as ‘Tai’. She is a woman who battles at various levels to help the villagers save their land and expose the landsharks, power and politicians behind them. The movie touches a very sensitive subject but remains half baked. The movie is riddled with shabby acting and incoherent sense of writing and direction. This movie actually adds insult to injury over the slain activist’s death by portraying more of her ‘alleged’ extra marital affairs and a unhappy married life. The fight she led seems to take a backstage which is very unfortunate.
You never really get to know the person “Tai” as the plot continuously loses steam to reach where you are left confused. Wad acts well in the movie and provides something substantial to an otherwise disgusting plot. But will that be enough, is yet to be seen. She is the only hope for the movie. All others performance are better left untold. And ujwal thengdi (playing a politician ) acts worse than he directs. The music and dance sequences crosses the thin line between obscenity and vulgarity. So you are better off not watching it. It is an insult to Navleen Kumar, what a pity!!!
Some final words : “ A great story told in a really bad way, please don’t watch it “
Comments and criticism are welcome.
Regards,
SlightlyDrunk