Review: 'Mere Desh Ki Dharti' picks up in the second half relaying a message that must be told

Mere Desh Ki Dharti narrates the story of two best friends, engineers by profession, who are left with nothing and no will to live, finding suicide as their only option. Ajay and Sameer (Divyenndu Sharma and Anant Vidhaat) find themselves in a village called Salamatpur, and seem to find a purpose while they are away from the hustle and bustle. But to what extent will this purpose serve their lives, is what the movie explores.

(Trigger Warning: The movie has scenes and conversations about suicide)

Story, Screenplay and Dialogies

The essence of the movie has been maintained throughout, and while it does not try to be preachy at any point in time, it relays the message right. One does get major 'Swades' vibes time and again, with some differences that seem to stand out for they have been incorporated into today's times. 

The movie's opening scenes about the job struggle in Mumbai, somehow resonates, whether you are in the same situation or not. There are elements of humor here and there, and they serve as lighter instances (for example scenes between Ajay and his father or those with Pappan bhaiya). 

Bits of the movie seem dragged in pieces and in an attempt to develop the backstories, the first half doesn't hold as much ground. However, the movie does pick up in the second half and has you smiling through the eyes.

Ratings: *** (3/5)

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Direction and Cinematography

Something about the first half of the film, does not go well with me as for how it looks and feels. Though there's nothing fundamentally wrong, but the movie doesn't feel like one made in 2021-22 in instances. The bits in the village catch up and have an appropriate backdrop, I'd have liked the film to look and feel better in the first half.

The creators have gone by the books and done what they are supposed to, and so, not a lot stands out, but again, there are scenes that do stay. For example, there's this scene with Divyenndu enjoying himself under the waterfall, and it speaks for itself, but the production value seems to have been compromises on multiple occasions.

Ratings: **1/2 (2.5/5)

Performances

Much like one would expect, it is the actors that form a strong backbone for this movie. Divyenndu manages to shine as someone who finds hope, is the angry lad, but never gives up. Anant as Sameer, plays the hardworking employee who awaits his promotion, but while at it, he seems to have become a pessimist after all.

Someone who we think would find a stern mention in all the reviews is Innamulhaq aka Pappa, for he truly has added such life to the story with his shayaris and the ever so positive guy. Bijendra Kala as Dubey Ji does his bit well. Everyone else, including Anupriya, Rajesh Sharma, among others, do their bits just fine.

Ratings: **** (4/5)

Verdict

Mere Desh Ki Dharti makes for a watchable film if one doesn't want to delve deep into farmer issues and can look at it objectively from a point of view that it simply narrates the story of two best friends and their quest to find and serve a bigger purpose in life.

Ratings: *** (3/5)