Thirst: The Poet of Jandus (2022)
| Thirst: The Poet of Jandus | |
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| Directed by | Jwala Adhya |
| Written by | Ajatasatru Shevade |
| Produced by | Mishri Mukhtar |
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Thirst: The Poet of Jandus is a 2022 Haduastani period romance film directed by Jwala Adhya and starring Bhima Jadhav, Salani Navathe, and Shakti Randhawa. The musical film is set in the Haduastan of the tumultuous 1950s when Barangadeshi nationalists fighting for the country's independence rose up, urging to separate from Haduastan and calling on foreigners to leave the country. It is a love story about two people who are torn between Karma (the noble deed) and Dharma (the duty).
Plot
In 2004, Lady Delaney, a wealthy Zamastanian woman, arrives in Haduastan to donate money to charity as part of Haduastan's Republic Day Celebrations. Before she can hand over the money, she requests a visit to Gutaraaj, where Haduastan's 2 great rivers Haputra and Alaknanda meet to form the mighty Jandus River. At Gutaraaj, Lady Delaney remembers her childhood and narrates her story to the small crowd, which includes a journalist.
Delaney was born in Haduastan in 1937, to Zamastanian citizens living in the country. She had a privileged and peaceful upbringing. In 1935, a young Delaney befriends Vivek, a local village boy, and the two share a joyous friendship. Upon learning of this, Delaney's father forcefully sends her back to Zamastan.
In 1956, shortly after the World War and during the Haduastan Split, Delaney comes back to Haduastan on holidays and again meets Vivek. Their childhood friendship is rekindled and over time the feelings slowly develop into love. Their relationship is tested by the fact that they seemingly belong to the opposite sides of Haduastan's struggle for freedom. Vivek also reveals that he is engaged to be married to Lakshmi.
There is growing resentment against colonialism and Delaney finds herself being targeted by an enraged mob of Haduastani nationalists. She is protected by Vivek, who faces backlash from his family and community, who were part of the mob. Vivek is torn between his friendship and love for Delaney, and his duty to his country and the hatred of the Foreign Influence. Vivek takes it upon himself to escort Delaney to the Foreign Office's High Commission, where safe passage back to Zamastan can be arranged for her. The trip reaffirms their love for each other but Vivek is ultimately forced to choose between his feelings for Delaney and his duty to his country. He chooses the latter and the pair bid an emotional farewell to each other.
In the present, it is revealed that Vivek married Lakshmi, and fulfilled his duties to his wife and country, but always loved Delaney till his death. His last wish was for his ashes to be spread at Gutaraaj, the place where first love blossomed between him and Delaney. Delaney's last wish is also for her ashes to be spread at Gutaraaj, so that, even though they both married different people, she and Vivek can be together forever.
Cast
- Bhima Jadhav as Vivek Singh
- Salani Navathe as Lakshmi
- Shakti Randhawa as Delaney
- Saanvi Goyal as young Delaney
- Nagini Tipanis as Lady Delaney
- Jeet Kapil as Bhairo Singh