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Deep Dive: Katiyabaaz (2013)

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Katiyabaaz
Katiyabaaz focuses on the electricity crisis in Kanpur, India, where residents experience power cuts lasting up to 15 hours a day. The film centers on Loha Singh, a local electricity thief, who provides illegal connections to those affected by the outages. The narrative contrasts Singh's activities with Ritu Maheshwari, the Managing Director of Kanpur Electricity Supply Company (KESCo), who is trying to combat the rampant power theft that leads to significant financial losses for the company. The documentary was filmed over nearly two years with a small crew and a budget of ₹1 crore (approximately US$120,000). It premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2013 and later won several awards, including Best Film in the India Gold Section at the Mumbai Film Festival. The film's music was composed by the fusion rock band Indian Ocean, adding a unique auditory layer to the visual storytelling.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Loha Singh, Kanpur's notorious electricity thief.
  • •See the impact of 15-hour power cuts on daily life.
  • •Find out how KESCo's MD tackles electricity theft.

Did You Know

•Katiyabaaz was released in India on 22 August 2014.
•The film won the Best Investigative Film award at the 61st National Film Awards.
•Filming took nearly two years with a crew of only 10-12 people.
•Loha Singh was initially hesitant to be filmed, thinking it was a sting operation.

Perfect For

Electricity theft issuesUrban crises in IndiaDocumentary film enthusiasts