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Deep Dive: Reason (2018)

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Reason
Reason is a documentary directed by Anand Patwardhan that examines socio-political issues in contemporary India. The film is divided into eight chapters and has a total runtime of 261 minutes. It addresses the killings of rationalists like Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare, and M M Kalburgi, as well as the attacks on activists. The documentary also critiques the influence of Hindutva organizations such as Sanathan Sanstha and Abhinav Bharat, and the rise of hyper-nationalism that targets Muslims and Dalits under the pretext of cow protection. The film presents a critical view of the growing acceptance of radical Hindu ideologies in mainstream society and the suppression of dissent, particularly in academic institutions. Patwardhan's work reflects a broader concern about the transformation of India into a Hindu state, making it a significant commentary on the current political climate in the country.

Why Watch

  • •See the impact of Hindutva on Indian society.
  • •Meet rationalists like Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare.
  • •Find out about the crackdown on dissent in universities.

Did You Know

•The documentary has a total runtime of 261 minutes.
•It premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.
•Reason was awarded the best documentary at the 31st International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam.
•The film received the Audience Award at IFFLA, Los Angeles, in 2019.

Perfect For

Political activismIndian historyHuman rights issues