Dharavi: The Slums of Sustainability

Dharavi is one of the most famous parts of Mumbai, and with good reason. An area barely over two square kilometres, it houses over 5000 businesses of different kinds within itself, suggests the film, acquiring the status of a parallel ecosystem. Why the activities of the people involved are specifically important, as the documentary aptly points out, is because Dharavi plays a massive role in recycling of the plastic that is generated as part of the tonnes of waste that Mumbai throws out every day.

Not only does the film draw the viewer's attention to the scale of these operations and the manner in which the process is completed, it also talks of the working conditions of those involved who have no protective gear, along with their monthly income which comes to a measly amount. The film, using a crispness, brings to light a less talked about aspect of the locality which not only allows it to maintain its pace throughout, but also communicate its intentions lucidly.