Mere Desh Ki Dharti Review: From Urban Losers to Rural Heroes

Plot

A spate of misfortunes strikes the two engineer best friends Ajay and Sameer, who reckon their lives are worth nothing and set out to die by suicide. However, they decide to do it far away from the city in Salamatpur. Will they go ahead or find a new purpose to stay alive? ‘Mere Desh Ki Dharti’ explores the issue of farmer debts and suicides and much more. The duo wants to right the wrongs, but stirs up the hornet’s nest with the local bank manager who gets back at them by punishing the farmers and asking them to clear their debts within six months or surrender their lands.

Acting

The film’s strongest point is its actors–lead and supporting. Divyendu Sharma shines in his performance as the impulsive and hot-headed happy camper with a never-give-up attitude, while Anant Vidhaat Sharma as the more pessimistic and serious Sameer holds his ground. Anupriya is pleasant, but it’s Inaamulhaq who deserves a special mention as the oddball banjo party guy and shayar who holds everything together. Bijendra Kala as Dubey Ji is great, too.

Cinematography

The cinematography of the film manages to evoke a sense of rural India with its vibrant landscapes and interesting characters.

Direction

Faraz Haider’s direction is satisfactory, but the screenplay had much to be desired. The abrupt change of heart that the heroine’s opportunistic and money-minded father has and making a drone and pesticide sprinkler from scrap because engineers seem too convenient.

Screenplay

The movie starts off on a pumped-up note and has a steady string of funny sequences including the two heroes’ misadventures with tough dads, cheating clients, loan sharks, and whatnot. The second half is fun till one gets a glimpse of the typical over-the-top bumpkins and singing and dancing. While Piyush Mishra’s dialogues stand out in many scenes, especially the small-town parts, the movie’s runtime of 110 minutes should mean the screenplay is taut, but it gets a bit drab, rushed, and too convenient.

Verdict

It’s a watchable fare if you do not deep dive into the multi-layered issues plaguing the farmers of the country and only view it for the two friends’ journey from being urban losers to rural heroes.

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