Lessons from Ganashatru

Film poster for Ganashatru.

Ganashatru holds the dubious distinction of being regarded as Ray’s worst film. It is unlike any of Ray’s films. Ray abandons his signature use of scenic visuals and instead settles for a dialogue-heavy theatrical film. However, this film has come beckoning from the past, warranting an urgent reappraisal. This is because the prophetic lessons of Ganashatru has manifested itself in today’s world gripped in the pandemic. 

Ganashatru is Satyajit Ray’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s play ‘An Enemy of the People’. Ibsen wrote this play in 1881, after his earlier play ‘Ghosts’, (which was a social critique on the prevalent notions of morality and blind belief) led to vehement public outrage against him. An Enemy of the People is thus Ibsen’s response as well as a story about an upright man facing societal wrath for being truthful. Ganashatru was Ray’s comeback after recovering from his heart attack. Medical constraints limited his movement and he was confined to shooting only within a studio. Thus, Ray brought theatre to the screen in this 100-minute-long film.

Satyajit Ray on the sets of Ganashatru.

The film is a story of the conflict between science and faith, a theme Ray so beautifully portrayed in his film ‘Devi’ (the Goddess). In Ganashatru, he portrays the conflict between an honest doctor and the vested interests of the powerful people in society. 

The story is set in the fictional town of Chandipur whose main attraction is a temple that attracts tourists and pilgrims in large numbers. Dr Ashok Gupta, (Soumitra Chatterjee) is a principled doctor and the voice of reason in this film. 

Dr Ashok becomes aware of the rising cases of jaundice in Chandipur and sets out to find its cause. His search leads him to the densely populated area around the temple. He suspects the water supply from the temple and sends test samples to Calcutta. His doubt proves to be correct. There is contamination in the temple's water supply due to faulty pipe laying. This the cause of the epidemic. 

Dr Ashok informs the local news editor to issue a general warning informing the public about the health hazard. The industrialist, who owns the temple, cannot stand the idea that the holy ‘charanamrita’ (holy water) of the temple is the cause of the outbreak. 

Dr Ashok then informs his brother Nisith (Dhritiman Chatterjee) who is the chairman of the municipal committee, hoping that he would support his case. He requests his brother to close the temple and carry out repairs. However, his brother does not support the idea of incurring losses by closing the temple. He is adamant about making Chandipur a flourishing tourist destination. The temple must remain open. The economy must run. 

Helpless, Dr Ashok rushes back to the newspaper office and finds that the editor of the paper unwilling to publish the doctor's strong health warning for the public. Instead, the newspaper is set to publish another article, which dismisses the doctor’s claims. This is to done to misinform the people while assuring them that the water is not contaminated. 

Left with no recourse, Dr Ashok calls for a public meeting in the community hall. However, his brother sabotages his attempt to inform the public. Instead, he portrays Dr Ashok as a man of no faith who is casting aspersions on the sanctity of the temple. In a matter of minutes, Dr Ashok’s appeal for science and reason drowns in the wild deluge of those blinded in superstition. Dr Ashok becomes - An Enemy of the People. 

Dejected, Dr Ashok retires home amidst hateful taunts and the shadow of impending violence. In the end, we hear slogans in support of Dr Ashok, emanating from a distance. This gives us hope that future generations will fight the fight for science and reason.

 

A still from Ganashatru.

The similarities between real and reel, are eerily similar. Our world is in the grips of a pandemic. Like Dr Ashok, many doctors who first reported the outbreak of the virus in China have been silenced or sidelined. Dire warnings of the experts have gone unheeded. While the initial outbreak was kept under wraps, it could not be hidden for long. Soon, cases spread like wildfire and the world came to a standstill. Several lives were lost. 

All around the world, the dilemma between running an economy or saving human lives also surfaced. Donald Trump, GOP members and his supporters were openly advocating a return to economic normalcy even at the cost of human lives. This attitude is akin to that of the powerful industrialist, politicians and editor in Ganashatru. 

Our country also saw people blatantly disregarding health advisories put forth by the health experts. People openly flouted health norms and did not wear masks or maintain social distancing. While medical professionals, scientists and others are at the forefront of this struggle, we also see detractors trying to discredit their efforts. We saw people assaulting health workers and also communalizing the virus. Social media has also been responsible for whipping up hysteria by spreading unscientific falsehoods. Even when cases were on the rise, we saw people demanding that places of worship be opened. 

It is in such times that films like Ganashatru remind us to cultivate a scientific temperament that is not influenced by political thought or religious dogma but by rational thinking. If there is anything that will save the world from the virus, it will be through a scientific breakthrough. 

In times of such crises, Ganashatru will serve as a reminder.