Peepal | Spotlight

Spotlight October 7, 2024

Peepal

By Ganesh Hanmantrao Chowgule with 6.9

drama · Short Films · hindi

Mahesh is a very busy professional who is in a key position in a big company. However, on the day the film opens, he is preoccupied with not business matters. Instead, a child’s sketch of a tree is what has caught his attention. As he quickly wraps up his day in the middle of the afternoon, the narrative establishes that there indeed exists something more important than all the worldly successes and wealth he may have amassed so far.

The plot moves back in time, introducing us to a young Mahesh, brought to life most ardently by the actor, who possesses a deep love for all living things that constitute nature. A closer look at his life reveals he has inherited this selflessness from his father, and now, is unable to focus on his studies, or find any joy beyond his friendship with a peepal tree, and in the birds and other parts of nature. And now, after all these years, Mahesh once again makes his way back to his childhood haunts, only to be met with an unexpected development.

As the story is woven around all of these developments, the film presents a relevant comment about the importance of trees when it comes to our existence, alongside drawing viewers' attention to the damaging consequences of deforestation. The comment it makes is comprehensive and sincere and brought to life by the notable dedication and effort of the cast and crew. The articulation remains clear and eventually underlines how humans can sometimes be their own worst enemy while indulging themselves in the delusion of progress and growth.
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