Bhubaneswar, June 1: A short film by disability rights activist Jitendra Biswal is creating a lot of buzz in the social networking websites. From politicians and columnists to actors and filmmakers, various prominent personalities are promoting the film on Twitter and Facebook.
A quadriplegic (paralysis caused by illness) suffering from a muscular disease since his early childhood, Biswal's film My Attitude, My Life...Despite My Disability is an excellent attempt to sensitise the mindset of the common man towards the differently-abled people. The five-minute film was launched on YouTube in April and has already gathered more than 5,000 views.
Biswal also holds a certificate in business management from IIM, Ranchi and has worked as a motivational counsellor. He prefers to call himself SMS, aka self-motivated soldier.
"The film is an attempt to put forth the difficulties that the differently-abled people face in their lives. Disability is a matter of perception and all that people like us ask for from the society is little respect," said Biswal.
Hailing from Bargarh, the 43-year-old man shot and conceptualised the film all by himself.
Tweeting about the film, politician and writer Shashi Tharoor said: "Remarkable" while columnist and actress Twinkle Khanna tweeted by saying: "An insight into the life of a brave man. You will be an inspiration to many." The award-winning actor and film director Nagesh Kukunoor tweeted: "A true viewpoint on disability from someone who lives it. Bravo."
Biswal admits that he did not have the slightest idea that it would gather such response. "I released the film on the online platform as it would give me a greater reach. But, I had no commercial interests at all. A friend of mine shared the film that was again promoted by a very popular journalist based in New Delhi. And gradually more and more people came to know about it," said Biswal.
"When somebody approaches me with his problem, I try to counsel them spiritually. I am on the wheelchair since I was five-year-old. I may appear uncanny to many. I spill food, I trip and I get irritated and scream about silly and stupid things. But at the end of the day, I am a human being too," he said.
Biswal wants to make many such films in the future. "The response from the film has boosted my confidence, and I am thinking of continuing making short films that would act as a catalyst towards changing the myth surrounding disability in India," said Biswal.
