Film on Cauvery asks to save ‘dying mother’

The film, released in three languages — Kodava, Kannada and Tamil, portrays the real struggle of Kaveri, a mother, whose veins bleed with the torture she goes through. Vinod Eshwer, who scripted and conceptualised the film, is an active volunteer of Reforest India. 

He speaks to us about the main idea, what he hopes to achieve and the dialogue it has kickstarted on social media. “The film or its makers don’t have any political agenda. From the time of the Cholas, people have been fighting for the Cauvery water. What people don’t understand is that the river that they are fighting for is dying. The river is getting dried up in many areas and we could only notice cracked riverbeds. I am not sure if people realise the grave danger that lies ahead,” says Vinod. 

He adds that the century-old dispute is similar to how two siblings are fighting over a dying a mother. “Isn’t it senseless? The need of the hour is not rallies or protests or burning buses, but people coming together and saving the dying river. Many generations have been witnessing the never-ending dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Where is the solution? Everyone wants water — but nobody is willing to preserve it. Everyone knows the impact of deforestation — it significantly impairs the function of rivers. We need to stop deforestation and start reforestation. If we encourage deforestation in the name of development, then there is nothing to look forward to the future. It’s high time we saved our ecosystem. If ecosystem dies, then there is no hope for future generation. The human race will be completely wiped out. We aren’t late to save our earth,” he adds. Vinod released the film on the morning of the Cauvery verdict. 

“Though the film was shot in 2017 summer, I was very reluctant to release it and it got shelved. But, after witnessing the unending dispute, I thought it was the right time to release the film.” The makers didn’t want to welcome any unnecessary issues and made sure that the message the film conveys stay away from any political or state allegiance. They have shot the film in places where the river flows and also made sure that it is released in three languages. “It coincides with the regions through which the Cauvery flows. A Kannadiga or Tamilian shouldn’t have any issues even with the language in which the film is made.” 

Recently, there was a protest in Coorg (Kodagu), from where the river originates. Though the support for the rally was apolitical, people of Coorg only participated in it. “This is not the issue of the Kodagu community alone. But for Kannadigas and Tamilians as well. We want participation from all communities,” he adds. Vinod asserts that Kavery is just a symbol. It can be any lake or river or even a small stream. “We can rejuvenate our rivers if we have the willpower. In Rajasthan, people restored seven rivers and 11 lakh water bodies. It is possible if there is unity.” The film ends with the message .. bring back the forests, bring back the rains. let Kaveri flow, let’s reforest India, one tree at a time.