Janaagraha inspires Swades screen yatra

Janaagraha inspires Swades screen yatra

The movie depicts Bangalore as a village and Shahrukh Khan is Ramesh.

Deccan Herald

So what if the coalition government is not keen on taking Non-Governmental Organisations’ support in promoting civic consciousness in Bangalore City. Bollywood has acknowledged the contribution made by a City based NGO — Janaagraha — whose concept and vision is the subject matter of ‘Swades,’ the next film of the maker of Lagaan Ashutosh Gowariker.

The storyline of the film goes thus. Mohan Bhargav (Shah Rukh Khan) is a young scientist with the NASA. Mohan decides to take a break from his work to visit his grandmother residing in a village in North India. When travelling around the village, Mohan notices that the village is steeped in caste conflicts, water problem, illiteracy and inadequate infrastructure. He decides to give up his glamourous job for the cause of the villagers. He soon jots out a plan and mobilises the village folk to fight for their dues.

Though not the whole film, the (framework) bits and pieces of the story resemble the work and vision of Ramesh Ramanathan, the architect of Janaagraha. In the film, Bangalore City becomes the village and Ramesh Ramanathan is played by Shahrukh Khan. Ramesh left his million dollar job in the US to work towards betterment of Bangalore. Through Janaagraha he inspired the citizens of the City to work towards creating better roads, provide sufficient water, education for all and develop the basic infrastructure. The character in the film treads the same path. “It feels good. Bollywood has a huge impact on people and their actions. Hope this film would inspire people to engage in similar activities,” Ramesh Ramanathan told Deccan Herald.

Mr Ramesh said the producer has drawn from many sources and Janaagraha forms a part of the film. “Some big and some small pieces have been put together to compete the puzzle. We have to wait and watch what comes off the movie,” said Mr Ramesh.

Speaking to Deccan Herald from Mumbai, Executive Producer of ‘Swades’ Sunita Gowariker said the main character in the film, Mohan has a vision — that of strengthening the village at every level.

She said the concept and storyline is similar to that of Janaagraha and its mission. “The main character in the film simply mobilises people and puts them on the road to progress.”

The idea of making such a film, based on the work and vision of Janaagraha — is to prove that every man is responsible for the progress and development of society.