“Manu Nayak from Raipur marks history for a groundbreaking regional film”

By Sneha Kundu

Chhattisgarhi Cinema being the first in the industry to address the caste discrimination in 1965. We all have a great understanding of how other  regional films and film industries are performing in the business, but we are lacking behind in recognising our own potential. When the world was busy in creating entertainment segments for viewers, Chhattisgarh took a step forth in creating a mind boggling movie.

A moment of pride for Chhattisgarhi Cinema, as a man from Raipur, Chhatisgarh made history in addressing the issue of caste discrimination via Chhattisgarh’s first regional film, ‘Kahi Debe Sandesh’, directed by Manu Nayak. This iconic film not only brought forth the conversation on this prevalent issue, but also paved the way for Chhattisgarhi cinema. The story revolves around Lakshmi, a Dalit woman, who is working for Surya, an upper-caste zamindar’s son. The film beautifully portrays the emotions and struggles she faces in a society plagued by patriarchy, caste, class, and gender biases.

Over the years, Indian cinema has made several attempts to shed light on the caste system through movies like The Bandit Queen, Article 15, and Jai Bhim. However, Kahi Debe Sandesh, released in 1965, was among the first films to openly discuss the evils of untouchability and caste discrimination.

In a 2018 interview, Nayak shared his inspiration for the film, which stemmed from his own childhood experiences. The movie was ahead of its time, tackling the sensitive topic of inter-caste marriages, which is still a taboo in many parts of the country.

During the 1960s, the Indian film industry was dominated by Hindi movies, leaving little room for regional language films. However, this changed with the release of Kundan Kumar’s Bhojpuri film Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo in 1963, which touched upon the subject of widow remarriage. This inspired Manu Nayak, a young film enthusiast from Madhya Pradesh, to make a Chhattisgarhi film on a subject close to his heart. Kahi Debe Sandesh, released in 1965, created quite a buzz due to its controversial plot and being the first Chhattisgarhi film at a time when Hindi films ruled the industry. It is worth noting that this happened before Chhattisgarh became a state in 2000.

The film follows the love story of Nayandas and Rupa, a boy from a scheduled caste and a Brahmin girl, respectively. This storyline faced backlash from conservative groups and leaders, especially from the Brahmin community in Raipur. However, prominent voices, including former prime minister Indira Gandhi, spoke in support of the film. Nayak revealed that help also came from two “progressive” politicians who recognized the film’s efforts in promoting national integration. Despite the protests, the film premiered in April 1965, drawing even more attention due to the controversy. It opened the door for society to acknowledge the evils of the caste system.