The documentary titled ˜India Untouched', according to me is an excellent piece of work by Stalin that depicts the theme of caste discrimination, untouchability and plight of the lower caste which is still massively prevalent in our country. Spanning eight states and four religions, the documentary depicts the continued oppression of Dalit, ˜the broken people' who suffer the burden of the caste system being regarded as ˜untouchables'.
As far as the depiction of theme is considered I think the documentary completely justifies the theme of untouchability which is depicted in the form of very accurate examples from different parts of the country. It covers villages and towns from southern, northern and western states and even the larger metros. These examples show innumerous forms of discrimination beginning with symbolism like Dalit not being allowed to enter tea stalls and temples and having to dismount from their cycles and take their shoes off in upper caste areas to the issues of marriage and education. The lack of opportunities for the lower caste is depicted in the footages of the rural schools where the teacher discriminates between the students based on the caste. The lower caste students are not only forced to sit back but also brutally beaten and punished for even minor mistakes whereas even the major sins of upper castes are ignored. Also there is no access to medical facilities to the Dalit as the hospitals are very far and there have been cases of children dying on the way to hospital. The better part about the documentary is that it had interviewed the Banaras scholar and other Hindu scholars who interpret the Hindu scriptures particularly ˜Manusmriti' to mean that the Dalit have no right of education and force upon them the tasks like scavenging.
According to me, the documentary has been very well crafted although the depiction is very basic cinematically with occasional split screen to break the monotony.