“Keetanu – The Germ”: A Film or a Harsh Social Reality Under Fire?
Mumbai – Even before its official screening, the short film “Keetanu – The Germ” has already stirred waves of controversy in film and social circles. Shot entirely in black and white and featuring no dialogues, the film by Neelu Chopra and co-director Ranju Cycloney has been hailed as bold by some — but deeply problematic by others.
The Core of the Controversy: Art or Exploitation?
While many are applauding the film as a "new wave of cinematic expression", several critics and social organizations are questioning its intent. The story revolves around drug-addicted ragpickers and society’s marginalized, portrayed in an intensely raw and bleak light.
Some activists argue that the film romanticizes or exploits the pain of the underprivileged, turning real-life suffering into a dramatic spectacle for awards and acclaim, rather than driving actual awareness or change.
No Dialogue, Yet Too Much To Say?
The filmmakers claim the absence of dialogue is meant to amplify the emotional weight of the visuals. But critics argue that silence in a socially charged subject like addiction may confuse audiences, or worse, strip the characters of their voice — literally and symbolically.
“This isn’t silence for artistic effect — this is silence that mutes an entire community,” one reviewer noted.
Shooting Locations Spark Backlash
The film was shot in Versova and Madh Jetty in Mumbai — areas close to slum dwellings and underprivileged populations. Allegations have surfaced that local residents were not properly consulted or compensated, leading to discontent within those communities. Some claim the film used these real-life locations without contextual sensitivity.
Filmmakers Respond: “We’re Just Holding Up a Mirror”
In her defense, Neelu Chopra stated in an interview:
> “Our goal was never to offend — we’re simply showing the harsh truth. If it’s uncomfortable, maybe it’s because it needs to be seen.”
Still, questions persist: Does cinema have a responsibility to protect the dignity of its subjects, even in fiction?
Critics Divided, Debate Intensifies
Some cinephiles call the film a raw masterpiece, a “silent scream” of those whose stories are never told. Others see it as a calculated move to win critical attention by portraying poverty and addiction through a stylized lens.
The absence of spoken words hasn’t silenced the noise — if anything, it’s made the conversation louder, sharper, and far more polarized.
Conclusion: The Film is Silent, But the Controversy is Not
“Keetanu – The Germ” might be a short film, but the storm it has created is anything but small. Whether it’s art, exploitation, or activism in disguise — one thing is certain:
0
वी कुमार यदुवंशी
कार्यक्रममें पूर्व विधायक भाजपा सुनील वर्मा ने भी योगाभ्यास किया और उपस्थित लोगों को प्रतिदिन योग अवश्य करने के लिए प्रेरित किया उन्होंने कहा कि निरोगी काया के लिए योग अवश्य करें।
कार्यक्रम में प्रमुख रूप से योग आचार्य सर्वेश दीक्षित,नि.विधायक सुनील वर्मा, नगर अध्यक्ष विनीत जायसवाल, विशाल कपूर, गोलू रस्तोगी, भगवान दीन त्रिवेदी, राजू तिवारी, महेंद्र मिश्रा, शिवम मिश्रा, देवेश अवस्थी, अर्पित त्रिवेदी, मनीष मेहरोत्रा, उमेश मेहरोत्रा, मनमोहन गुप्ता, मनोज गुप्ता, सुधीर दीक्षित, वीरेंद्र पूरी रामजी खन्ना, रामकुमार, सलिल मिश्रा, आशीष पांडेय, धीरेंद्र मौर्य, लबजीत सिंह सोभित, सूर्या, अजीत, सुगम सहित भारीसंख्या में लोगो ने प्रतिभाग किया।
The new-age brands are coming up to the challenge to fulfill new-age consumer demands, which is experiencing a silent revolution in India, as the country develops interest in personal wellness and intimate lifestyle products. Freaky Fun has become one of the leading high-performance pleasure product destination sites with its fast-growing popularity among thousands of customers in the country. The overall success of the brand does not lie in its huge variety of goods only, but also in its devotion to the best quality, privacy, and undisrupted service, which is important to the intended modern, metropolitan Indian population of customers.
Jun 28 2025, 20:23
- Whatsapp
- Facebook
- Linkedin
- Google Plus
0- Whatsapp
- Facebook
- Linkedin
- Google Plus
0.3k