Irgal, directed by Rashid Usman Nimbalkar, won the Jury Award for Best Film at the 12th Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival in Delhi. The film ‘Irgal’ has won the award out of 718 festival films and the film is aimed at the marginalized Mariai tribe in Maharashtra. The film will soon be screened throughout Maharashtra.

Irgal is produced by Girish Yashwant Gawli of Agnipankh Productions. Written and directed by Rashid Usman Nimbalkar, the film was shot by Keshav Gorkhe, the music was directed by Dr. Jai-Bhim Suryabhan Shinde and compiled by Prashant Naik. There are important roles.

The Mariais are a forgotten tribe. It is not mentioned in scriptures or literature. With a marijuana cart on their heads, a drum and a whip around their necks, this society wanders through their stomachs for eight months of the year like the seasons. Some of these babies are born while wandering, and some even die unlucky. However, due to ignorance and lack of education, the births and deaths of the Mariai tribe are not recorded in the Government Gazette. Today the society is seen fighting for caste certificate, caste validity certificate, ration card and Aadhar card. Mariai society was built on the yoke of superstition. There has been some awareness among the youth of the society as they have turned to education. However, the film tries to convey the message that education can bring light to the dark life of this society.

Writer and director Rashid Nimbalkar himself is part of the Mariai community. After graduating from YCM Open University, Rashid Nimbalkar joined Pune Institute of Film and Video Technology. His short film “Dumru” was selected for the Special Mention Award at the National Human Rights Commission, Delhi.

Due to superstitious and oppressive traditions, many castes and tribes are miles away from development. Mariai is one of them. Rashid Nimbalkar said that the film “Irgal” was made to bring the Mariai community into the mainstream.