When documentary films are burdened with expectations to be issue based, subject specific, loaded with higher ideas on things, with an agenda, a message from the filmmaker etc., Dhoolpet Ganesha simply chooses to do what the non-fiction form best can – to breathe life as is. And it does it so well that the 89-minuter compels you to become a co-participant in the world that it blossoms.
Set in Dhoolpet, one of the suburbs of Hyderabad, during the celebratory atmosphere of Ganesh Chaturthi, the film captures the spirit of a communal celebration. What might initially seem as a film on the Hindu God Ganesha, slowly progresses into something about the organising; the community; the people; their lives and goes beyond with all its moments around the children, women and men it engages with. Add to this, the cinematic construction with a carefully captured soundscape, seamless edit flow striking engaging rhythm renders the film that irresistible quality of making you a co-participant along with the filmmaker – ‘verite’ at its best perhaps.
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