Jugaad

Director: Susannah Heath-Eves
Release Year: 2017

Jugaad (2017) is a captivating documentary directed by Susannah Heath-Eves, offering an insightful and immersive exploration into the heart of Mumbai, one of the most densely populated and diverse cities in the world. The film weaves together a rich tapestry of stories from individuals representing various communities in the city, shedding light on their unique experiences, struggles, and moments of triumph. Through Heath-Eves' lens, viewers are introduced to a transgender activist, a knife-wielding mafioso, and India’s leading gossip blogger, among others, each showcasing different facets of Mumbai’s complex social fabric.

 

The documentary immerses the audience in an eclectic journey that takes them from the shores of the Arabian Sea to the glitzy world of Bollywood, and even to the heart of political unrest, all while exploring the concept of jugaad - a Hindi and Punjabi term that loosely translates to "creative problem-solving" or "finding an innovative solution to a problem using limited resources." In the context of Mumbai, jugaad represents not just a method of survival but also a mindset that drives the city’s relentless pace and ingenuity. Throughout Jugaad, Heath-Eves deftly captures the essence of life in Mumbai, balancing humor, poignancy, and grit to paint a vivid picture of survival and resilience in an urban center filled with paradoxes. 

 

Whether it’s struggling to make ends meet, fighting against systemic oppression, or pursuing personal goals, the film shows that survival in a city like Mumbai takes many forms, but is always marked by creativity, adaptability, and a shared humanity. The documentary introduces a wide range of characters, each with their own distinct story to tell. Viewers meet a transgender sex-ed teacher who is not only challenging societal norms but also working tirelessly to provide education to marginalized groups. Then, there’s a knife-fighting mafioso whose lifestyle reflects the raw, gritty reality of Mumbai’s criminal underworld. The film also explores the life of India’s top gossip blogger, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how digital media in India can shape public perception and influence political discourse.

 

One of the most compelling aspects of Jugaad is its ability to showcase the diversity and complexity of Mumbai's social fabric without casting judgment. Instead, Heath-Eves invites the audience to reflect on the lives of the people featured in the film with empathy and understanding, reminding us that survival is not just about overcoming external obstacles but also about navigating internal conflicts and reconciling one’s identity within a fast-paced, often contradictory world. The city of Mumbai itself plays a vital role in the documentary, almost as a character in its own right. From the bustling streets to the overcrowded slums, from the serene Arabian Sea to the vibrant celebrations of life, the city’s contradictions are palpable throughout. 

 

There are moments of joy, such as a dance celebration in the streets marking another year of survival, alongside moments of tension, as when the film delves into a collapsed building rescue effort or the questioning of dubious election results. Through these diverse narratives, Jugaad presents a multifaceted view of Mumbai and its people, while also exploring universal themes of survival, community, and perseverance. At the heart of the documentary is the concept of jugaad, which serves as the connective thread between all the stories. For the people of Mumbai, this concept is integral not only to daily survival but to their very identity. Whether it’s a quick fix for a broken car, a makeshift solution to a housing crisis, or a creative workaround in business, jugaad encapsulates the resourcefulness and ingenuity that Mumbai’s residents demonstrate in the face of overwhelming challenges. This mindset is vital in a city where resources are often scarce, yet people find ways to thrive despite adversity.

 

Susannah Heath-Eves, the documentary’s director, brings an outsider’s perspective to the project, offering a fresh and unbiased lens through which to examine the city and its inhabitants. Her background as a reporter and producer with CTV and CBC Radio and Television, as well as her work as a production supervisor and co-editor at EyeSteelFilm, has equipped her with a sharp eye for compelling stories and nuanced storytelling. In Jugaad, she applies her journalistic expertise to explore Mumbai’s complexities with sensitivity and respect. As a documentary filmmaker, Heath-Eves also brings a personal connection to the project, drawing from her own experiences of working in a multicultural context and her commitment to social justice and connection to nature. Her debut feature-length film, Jugaad, was streamed globally on Netflix and later acquired by CBC’s Documentary Channel, reaching audiences around the world. The film’s success reflects the universality of its themes, which resonate with people from all walks of life, not just in India, but across the globe. Jugaad is more than just a documentary about Mumbai - it is a meditation on the human condition, exploring how we navigate a world filled with contradictions and challenges.

 

Through the lens of jugaad, the film underscores the importance of resilience, adaptability, and creative problem-solving, offering valuable insights into the nature of survival in an ever-changing world. In conclusion, Jugaad is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that offers an immersive and multifaceted look at one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Heath-Eves has crafted a poignant and visually striking film that not only captures the vibrancy and contradictions of Mumbai but also explores universal themes of survival, creativity, and human connection. By telling the stories of diverse individuals from various walks of life, Jugaad invites viewers to reflect on the resilience and ingenuity that define the human spirit, especially in the face of adversity.

 

via: youtube

 cbc.ca and imdb

Image credits: YouTube