Filmmaker Anand Patwardhan donates award money to Wayanad relief efforts

Kochi: Renowned documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan has donated his prize money from the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) to aid rescue efforts in Wayanad, which has been devastated by multiple landslides resulting in massive destruction and loss of hundreds of lives.

Anand's film, "The World is Family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam)," won the Best Long Documentary award, earning him Rs 2 lakh, and the Best Editing in a Long Documentary award, which included a cash prize of Rs 20,000. He contributed the entire amount to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).

"The World is Family" began as a documentation of Anand’s parents' lives but evolved into a record of his family’s involvement in India’s freedom struggle. In an interview with TNM, Anand mentioned that his documentary serves as a corrective voice against the current ruling powers in India, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, who he believes are attempting to rewrite history.

Wayanad was struck by multiple landslides early on Tuesday, July 30, following 572 mm of rainfall in just 48 hours. By the evening of Wednesday, July 31, the state government confirmed 167 deaths, with many more people missing. Television reports indicated a death toll of 245.

The landslides washed away entire villages and hundreds of houses, killing people in their sleep and burying homes under mud and rubble. Rescue and relief operations have been conducted by the police, armed forces, fire department, and volunteers, with thousands of people relocated to rescue and relief camps.

In addition to Anand Patwardhan, other notable contributors to the relief efforts include Lulu Group chairman Dr. MA Yusuff Ali, who donated Rs 5 crore, businessman Ravi Pillai, and Kalyan Jewellers owner Kalyanaraman, who each contributed Rs 5 crore. Actor Vikram also donated Rs 20 lakh to the CMDRF.