F. M. Britto
Raipur: A movie on the renowned social activist Daya Bai is being made and is expected to be completed this year.
The Kerala-born Mercy Mathew, who had joined a convent to become a nun, left the religious life and opted to live among tribals of Madhya Pradesh as one of them and develop them.
The film is titled Daya Bai (woman of mercy) after the 77-year-old woman.
Film actress and model Bidita Bag plays the lead role. While 90 percent of the location is shot in Madhya Pradesh, 10 percent is in Kerala. The Vettam Movies is producing the Hindi biopic and is directed by Sree Varun (born Ram Rajappan), a young aspirant and a talented movie director of Kerala.
“It is an honour for me to play the role of a woman who lived for the tribals,” remarks Bag. “I am trying my level best to look like her, speak like her and copy her body language,” remarks the Bengal-born actress who had already acted in a few movies.
Publishing the news in the Hitavada, Anshuman Bhargava, the chief of the Daily’s Madhya Pradesh unit comments, “This is perhaps the most perfect way to hold in high regard the social work carried out by the septuagenarian.”
In the neighboring tribal village of Daya Bai once a dumb and handicapped girl was found missing. After assaulting and raping her, she was left in an abandoned house. Daya Bai, not only fought for that girl’s rights, but also for an amendment in the Constitution to protect women’s rights.
“I used to think that Daya Bai must be a serious kind of person. But she is an entirely different personality,” the actress commented. “She is very jovial, flamboyant and happy person who is very serious about her work. She laughs her heart out, and swims all day. Despite being of 77 years, Daya Bai is sporty, full of energy and life.” Bag said.
Nikita Mene, Raj Singh, Prerna Gandhi also share the silver screen along with the protagonist.