Review of the Film: Wheels of Civilization
(SAMAJ WEEKLY)- On the Bank holiday, 6 May 2024, a group of eight members of SEF went to watch Dr Rajinder Pal Singh’s film ‘Wheels of Civilisation’ for the first time of its kind. The film was released on May 3, 2024, and has a runtime of about 2 hours.
Dr Singh has written and directed the film. It is a cinematic journey that takes the audience deep into the heart of a remote village where tradition meets modernity.
The film delves into the issue of global warming and environmental pollution and implores us to introspect about our imminent need to change our lifestyles to become green and eco-friendly.
Through an interesting interaction between the modern British doctor girls and the primitive native tribal chief, the film emphasises that there should be no contempt for what is primitive since there is a lot to learn by going back to our roots. Likewise, modernisation must incorporate a vision and introspection for responsible behaviour towards the environment. The crux of the film is about the need for a societal balance between the modern and traditional wheels of Civilization, which forms the basis of the film title. The film suggests that changes in both primitive and modern lifestyles are necessary to achieve a sustainable future. The message, in their simplicity, are not didactic or drab, but strung together within an interesting storyline.
The film has a brilliant opening with Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, and Pavan Guru Pani Pita Mata Dhart Mahat Shabad in the background. It directly introduces the viewers to the message of Guru Nanak who equated Air as Guru, Water as Father, and Earth as Mother, and hence one must take care of their environment.
Apart from the message on the environment of Guru Sahib, it also depicts through an interplay of characters the values embodied by Sikh Gurus. As for instance, the opening scene depicts a Sikh gentleman who brings free medical supplies to a hospital in the remote tribal forest belt where there are hardly any modern supplies. It also depicts a differently abled man, who is shown respectfully to be completely independent and working as a hospital staff. And in addition, it lays emphasis on a society that preserves the honour of women. There is a wonderful Bhangra dance to showcase Punjabi culture in the backdrop of the beautiful tribal culture and breathtaking scenery of Odisha.
The film has outstanding music, composed by Dr Kapilmeet Kaur, wife of Dr Singh, and Bishnu Mohan Kabi, a musician from Odisha, India, which stands out in the form of 2 excellent songs on the environment, both scripted by Dr Singh- in Hindi and English both, for a wider audience appeal across language barriers. They have catchy tunes, and both of them are going viral on YouTube. Here are their links:
https://youtu.be/q58wcyHYY8A?si=EtGUzebDxyiopfbV
https://youtu.be/GqUPNU9E-ko?si=eqiiJt3XYb7RNtoo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INYOz3z5Y3c (Sir Clive Lloyd during the London premiere).
Dr Singh has put tremendous planning into and execution of this film. The film has been made with thorough professionalism in planning and making with excellent script and direction. The cinematography, photography lighting and camera angles were good. It has an excellent background score from SV Gopal Krishna from Chennai.
The film could lose half a star for a few humorous scenes interspersed in the storyline, but these are acceptable to some extent. However, one could have avoided a few scenes like dancing in the club bar, or made it brief. Having said this, the positive reason could be its necessity for comparison reasons – lifestyle of selfish mafia people!
It is not easy to make a commercial film on a serious topic such as environmental pollution, but Dr Singh has made it possible by making it in the form of a storyline laced with a gripping plot, as an entertaining musical thriller to drive home the message. The film’s ability to weave together an eco-conscious message with the flair of Bollywood entertainment is outstanding.
Well done! Overall, it is a highly commendable effort! We would rate ‘Wheels of Civilisation’ highly. The film should be released worldwide. We have already sent the teaser and reviews to film critics in Mumbai.
Rajinder Kaur Bhogal (Social Secretary of SEF)
Note: The film is currently showing at the Vue cinemas across the UK.
