Fatima is waiting to board the bus. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
level up! It begins with the sound of buses honking on the traffic-choked roads of Chennai. The screen announces that approximately three million people ride this form of public transportation every day. However, in quick succession, the camera takes Fatima’s point of view. The disabled man can be seen lifting himself up with the help of crutches and climbing nearly four feet of difficult stairs in the bus to reach his seat. This is the only way for women in Tamil Nadu to access this free mode of transport.
Over eight minutes, filmmakers and friends Bhargav Prasad, Archana Shekhar and Pavitra Sriram, equally show and tell about the long battle for low-floor buses in Tamil Nadu. “Twenty years ago, Rajiv Rajan filed a PIL demanding that all public transport be accessible. Earlier this year, the government added 58 such buses to its fleet. The government was very proud of this project but the truth is that this is just the beginning. “Rajeev is still waiting for his bus,” says social worker Archana.
Screengrab from level up!
Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
level up! One of the 12 films that have been short-listed for the Nagari Short Film Competition 2024. Organized by the Charles Correa Foundation, the film competition is held every year and is designed to develop films that focus on urban issues in Indian cities. This year’s theme is ‘Mobility in India’ and it is the only film from the South to be shortlisted.
“We initially planned to start the film with a shot of a disabled man waiting for the bus, but we soon realized that our stop would have these unusual scenes because the city is not planned and it is not designed for everyone. It is not designed to be accessible to all. Buses are a struggle for everyone, including saree wearers, the elderly and children, but the truth is that Indians love to adjust and we do so until we can’t anymore. Battles are fought by those who cannot fight. “There is a need for unity of perspective,” says Pavitra.
The architect, who consults with the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), says there are execution errors on the ground by engineers and contractors creating uneven footpaths, for example, while there is also general design-based apathy.
Bhargav Prasad, Archana Shekhar and Pavitra Sriram. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
That’s why it’s been important to bring multiple perspectives into his short film, says filmmaker Bhargava. “People with disabilities use many different modes of transportation but not all of them are affordable. We decided to capture them on the go and showcase them every day without preaching. We used camera perspective in some places because I haven’t seen it in other films. As a capable person, it was clear that this was the best way to use perspective,” he says.
Archana says that accessible spaces like parks for children with disabilities should not be treated as isolated special projects. “The idea is to connect the dots. How will parents of children with disabilities take them to these places to play? This is not a linear problem and there are many parts to the conflict. Hoping to capture that in the film,” she says.
To celebrate International Day for Persons with Disabilities, level up! and 11 other short-listed films for the Nagari Short Film Competition will be screened at the Museum of Possibilities Café on December 6 from 5 pm onwards.
published – December 03, 2024 05:25 PM IST
