Kerala   

Misuse of roads in focus

Balachandra Menon on a traffic awareness drive

Whose road is it anyway? This is the question that veteran director Balachandra Menon asks in his documentary ‘Road Is Our Right,’ a tongue-in-cheek look at the misuse of roads in the State, by drivers and pedestrians alike.

The 23-minute film is a reminder of how traffic rules are frequently violated on our roads. The film’s first show was for the State legislators in Thiruvananthapuram some time ago.

“I want this film to be seen by as many people in the State,” Balachandra told The Hindu.

“I want to take it to schools especially. The children could learn a lot about how the roads should be used properly. I feel the State departments of Education, Transport and Public Works will find my film very useful, as they can use it to educate our people.”

He said he conceived the film during a car journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Ottappalam.

“I was appalled by the way we mistreat our roads and I thought a film would be the best way to send my message across. I will be happy if anyone who sees the film becomes a bit more careful when he is on the road the next time.”

Shooting the documentary, only his second, was a strenuous experience, said Balachandra, who has directed many a hit in his long innings in Malayalam cinema.

“You have to wait for hours for the right shot.”

‘Road is Our Right,’ which also has a Malayalam version titled ‘Road Njangalude Tharavadu,’ touches upon just about every aspect on road.

There are shots of people driving while talking on mobile phones, processions of political parties and religious festivals disrupting traffic, pedestrians crossing the road carelessly and roads being blocked during hartals.

The script is by Balachandra.

Actor Vijay Menon gives the commentary in the English version, while the director is the narrator in the Malayalam one.

The film is produced by Varada Balachandra Menon.

P.K. Ajith Kumar

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

They know it all
Campaign mode
Misuse of roads in focus
School notes
Chaos on the roads
For smooth traffic
Campus Notes
KNM president passes away
Paying obeisance to ancestors

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu