Movie Review - Kadvi Hawa – by Suhel Johar

Kadvi Hawa Is An Impressive Film Dealing With Issues Like Global Warming And Climate Change.

Directed by National Award winner Nila Madhab Panda Kadvi Hawa is about global warming and its harmful effects. Based on true stories the film is an eye-opening portrayal of the suffering of people and gives a wakeup call to the society which seems still unprepared to face the consequences of their actions on climate change. Based on true stories, Kadvi Hawa is a bitter pill that reminds one about the dark winds of change. Global warming and climate change are real and are caused by human activity. Despite not showing any such activity that is destroying the civilization, the film makes a heartfelt point in a straightforward way. It speaks about the state of the environment, the destruction of our civilization, the plight of the farmers and of the people living in coastal areas.

Based in the ravines of Mahua in Bundelkand Kadvi Hawa tells the story of a blind man named Hedu (Sanjay Mishra) and Gunu Baba (Ranvir Shorey). Hedu is a blind father of a farmer who has taken a big loan from a bank which he is unable to repay. Gunu Baba is a bank loan recovery agent who comes to their village as he gets double commission from the drought hit village.  Hedu lives with his son Mukund (Bhupesh Singh) and his family comprising of his wife (Tillotama Shome) and two daughters - Kuhu  (Ekta Sawant) and Pihu. They live a hand-to-mouth existence. His companion is Anapurna - the Buffalo.

As a concerned father Hedu heads to a micro-finance bank in a nearest town to check the amount his son, Mukund owes the bank. When he realises that the debt has doubled due to accumulating interest Hedu lives in constant fear that his son Mukund might commit suicide because of his inability to pay back his loan. To get his only son out of this debt trap Hedu befriends Gunu Babu, the loan recovery officer, who is also referred to as Yamdut, the God of death, as there have been cases of farmers committing suicide after being pursued by him.

Hedu makes a unique deal with Gunu Baba so that his son is saved from kadvi hava or bitter wind in the village. Hedu guides Gunu in recovering the loans from other debt-ridden farmers. But soon realisation dawns on him, when Mukund goes missing. Guilt-ridden Hedu then laments, that the winds of change have already engulfed them.  That’s all one can tell you about the film’s plot.

Director Nila Madhab Panda is known for his documentaries that address environmental issues. His feature films credits include critically acclaimed films like I Am Kalam, Kaun Kitne Paani Mein and Jalpari. With Kadvi Hawa he takes on the issue of climate change that not only India but the entire world is worried. The plot of Kadvi Hawa unfolds in a simply witty and satirical manner especially when Hedu interacts with his curious granddaughter Kuhu. This is simply evident in practically every scene with her. Watching them interact is really amusing, especially when he attributes his source of information to the wind. The plot unfolds in a simply witty and satirical manner especially when Hedu interacts with his curious granddaughter Kuhu. This is simply evident in practically every scene with her. Watching them interact is really amusing, especially when he attributes his source of information to the wind.

Kadvi Hawa mainly works because the problem of global warming is never thrown at your face. Besides global warming and climate change the director has also touched upon the issue of farmers’ suicide in the drought and flood-hit areas. There is no unnecessary background music or over-dramatic scenes. The story moves at a good pace and keeps you interested. Unlike many other films, it stays away from conveniences and tries to show the real, disturbing picture. The true stories that are featured in the film are from drought prone Bundelkhand region and the vanishing villages from coastal Odisha and Chambal region of Dholpur, Rajasthan. The film won a Special Mention at the 64th National Film Awards held on April 7 2017.

Nila Madhab Panda deserves all the credit for taking up the issue and drawing the attention of the people with a film that needs to be seen by all. Nila Madhab Panda along with his co-writer Nitin Dixit has done a fabulous job as the writers of the film. Cinematography by Ramanuj Dutta captures the terrain and the finer nuances of every actor with detailed accuracy. Jabeen Merchant’s editing is good though it could have been better. The only song Main Banjar which comes in far end of the narrative suitably conveys the essence of the film. The background score by Santosh Jagdale is inspiring and hits the right notes.

Performancewise, Sanjay Mishra is brilliant with his down-to-earth, natural performance. You experience his anxiety and pain as Hedu. He is aptly supported by Ranvir Shorey who has played his part as the frustrated Gunu, exceptionally well, Bhupesh Singh as Hedu’s son Mukund, Tillotama Shome as Hedu’s concerned daughter-in-law and Ekta Sawant as Hedu’s chirpy granddaughter Kuhu and the rest of the cast add a distinct flavour to their characters.

On the whole, Kadvi Hawa is definitely worth a watch for not only its theme but some powerful performance.