Just watch the film: Om Puri on movies addressing social issues

Om Puri, who feels strongly on the issue of farmer suicides, will be seen in a film Project Marathwada this Friday where the actor plays a farmer who threatens to immolate himself in front of the chief minister’s office  after financial assistance is denied to him.

Om feels the politicians of the country must watch films that address important issues. “Look at the financial risk taken by the makers of Project Marathwada. They know it doesn’t contain commercial ingredients. Still they chose to back the project. Politicians should at least take the trouble to watch such films, and help the project if they feel it’s worth it.”

The actor feels the issue of farmer suicides is not being tackled seriously enough. “When I was a child, our country had to import food grains from the West. Today, we are self-sufficient in food grains, all thanks to our farmers. And yet, we allow them and their families to starve. Shame!”

Om felt impelled to work in Project Marathwada as its makers believe in putting across the plight of farmers. Says Om, “To address the issue of farmers, we need to address the problem of droughts. To make sure a river doesn’t dry up, we need to find a way to connect all the rivers. It’s the only way to ensure farmers don’t reach that breaking point where they need to end their lives.”

The committed actor hopes the film gets an audience. “The makers should at least get back their money. That is the only way filmmakers would be encouraged to make films on issues that plague our society.”