'Doesn't everyone need love?' A simple statement, but profound coming from a bar dancer who is diagnosed HIV+. Person facing double stigma in search of love? That's the theme of Sridhar Rangayan's new film '68 Pages'.
Director Rangayan who earlier made critically acclaimed but highly controversial films, returns to home turf with yet another film that could stir up a hornet's nest – this time of the medical fraternity in India.
Rather a quaint title? - "The film is about 68 Pages of a counselor's diary. A counselor often finds it difficult to let off emotional baggage and Mansi is no different. She uses a diary as her worry tree', Rangayan says.
So is the film about the counselors or about HIV+ people? - "Both. It's about marginalized people. Do you know in India even a counselor who works with HIV+ people is stigmatized?
But films about HIV and AIDS are so passé! "Not in India, which is still bloody ignorant about the epidemic. Its not just nonchalance, but complete ignorance. The marginalized minorities are so much at risk and no one is doing a damn. They are in fact pushing the issue underground by stigmatizing them doubly.", Rangayan says angrily.
The film hopes to sensitize the society about the HIV and the marginalized communities. But if you think this is a boring, preach documentary, you have another thing coming. In his trademark style, Rangayan combines issues with song and dance (remember his 'Pink Mirror'?) to make a mass level entertainer.
"This is just about off-Bollywood!"
Film Link : http://www.68pages.blogspot.com
