Nam Saali, a film on rural education crisis, selected for BIFFES

A Kannada feature film, Nam Saali (Our School), which examines the crisis of rural education in the Kalyana Karnataka region, has been selected for competition in three categories, national, Indian and international, at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES).

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, senior theatre person Shankarayya R. Ghanti, who is also the producer of the feature film, said that the film portrays how poverty, agrarian distress and seasonal migration force children of marginal farmers and daily wage labour out of the schooling system, denying them their constitutional right to education.

Based on the novel Nam Saali written by Mr. Ghanti, the film highlights the pivotal role of government schools in sustaining rural society and preserving its social and cultural fabric.

Mr. Ghanti said that the decision to adapt the novel for the screen is aimed at taking the message of rural education to a wider audience.

He said that the film also brings into sharp focus the fragile state of government schools in the Kalyana Karnataka region, portraying poor infrastructure and the shortage of teachers that adversely affect the quality of teaching and learning.

The film is directed by Anil Revoor, a native of Afzalpur taluk. It is produced under the banner of Jangama Creations.

Of the 20 artists featured in the film, 14 are from Kalaburagi district, while six professional actors have been cast as per character requirements. The film has been shot entirely in and around Kalaburagi, including Kalgi, Kodli and Ratakal villages.

The 90-minute film will be screened at BIFFES from January 29 to February 6 at Lullu Mall in Bengaluru.