After watching Sinhasan, I was startled by its continued relevance to public policy, government, and democracy. Even after 45 years, a 1979 film directed by Jabbar Patel based on Aruna Sadhu’s writings remains relevant. I believe that is why it is regarded as a milestone in Marathi cinema. This particular aspect of Sinhasan drove me to write this review.

Sinhasan accurately portrays political manoeuvring, bureaucratic complexities, and relationships between politicians, media, and citizens. The movie revolves around the politics of Maharashtra during a time of political instability, where an economic crisis, drought, and mass discontent provide a backdrop to the power struggles. The central characters, including a Chief Minister (played by Arun Sarnaik), an investigative journalist (Nilu Phule), and political insiders, navigate the murky waters of government, shedding light on how policies are both made and manipulated.

Sinhasan, contrary to popular belief, argues that political decisions are influenced by power equations, electoral calculations, and factionalism. Maharashtrians are fully aware of this! This essentially illustrates the gap between legislators and the public, with policies formulated solely for the short-term benefit of political masters.

The political-bureaucratic nexus, which derails the policy decisions is highlighted quite effectively in the movie. The film strongly criticizes the bureaucracy, demonstrating how red tape and administrative delays compound existing problems like drought, unemployment, and economic distress.

I think one of the most intriguing aspects of Sinhasan is its portrayal of media and journalism. The journalist Digu Phadnis (Can’t call him a protagonist! you’ll understand why after watching the film) serves as a voice of reason and public conscience, working to expose corruption and bring transparency. However, the film also questions the media’s ability to remain unbiased, as political forces often seek to co-opt and manipulate it.

The movie also depicts how Chief Minister’s decisions are shaped by the need to maintain his chair, leading to policy paralysis on critical issues such as labor protests, water scarcity, rural distress, smuggling issues and economic planning.

In the end, the film suggests that when policies fail to address ground realities, they alienate the very people they are meant to serve because winning the elections is all that matters!

Someone has famously said,”Saala Hindustand mein jab tak cinema hai, log bewakuf bante rahenge“. I would personally like to contradict the statement saying that films like Sinhasan offer valuable lessons to the masses and in fact stop them from being a ‘bewakoof’!!

Since I am a student of Public Policy, I need to incorporate it. Hence from a public policy perspective, Sinhasan serves as a timeless commentary on the fragility of democratic governance and the complex relationship between politics, policy, and power. Its relevance today lies in its critique of governance systems and its portrayal of the need for policy to be driven by public good rather than political opportunism. For policymakers, political analysts, and students of public policy, Sinhasan remains an essential watch.