Welcome to Sajjanpur (Mahdev ka Sajjanpur)

Award-winning director Shyam Benegal returns to the LFF with an enchanting comedy of errors set in village India. Mahadev is a frustrated young writer who has returned to his village after his studies. But rather than writing his dream novel, he ends up penning letters for the illiterate locals. These persuasive letters, which even include lines from Bollywood songs, become a hit and attract a colourful array of village customers from snake charmers, the local mafia, star-crossed lovers and the head of the local Hijiras (transexuals).

Then his childhood sweetheart arrives and asks him to write a letter to her husband to return back from Mumbai. Mahadev's love is re-kindled. As his fanciful letters increasingly lead to dramatic consequences for the locals, Mahadev is only focussed on one thing - splitting his loved one from her erstwhile husband and his letters are the perfect tool. Benegal fondly satirises traditional village life, while commenting on the aspirations of modern India. Shreyas Talpade (Om Shanti Om), is perfectly cast as the sweet but devious writer.
Cary Rajinder Sawhney