Joothan directed by Pushpendra Albe

Pushpendra Albe’s film Joothan talks on caste discrimination in education. Prolific Bollywood filmmaker Pushpendra Albe’s film Joothan continues to gain recognition on the international festival circuit. Written, directed and produced by Albe, the film focuses on caste discrimination within India’s primary education system, highlighting one of the country’s most sensitive social issues.

Like, as per Oxfam, the dropout rates of students belonging to SC, ST and OBC community is higher than other categories. 75 per cent of more than six million students who dropped out of school are either Dalits, Muslims or Adivasis. Moreover, four out of five female teachers and one out of four male teachers belong to upper-class sections. These facts are shocking and proves that even though lower-caste students get a seat in schools and colleges, the casteist environment makes it difficult for them to survive. Along with reservation, there is a need to make the institutions anti-caste by building an education system that is based on equality and revolution

The film stars Devesh Ranjan in the lead role, alongside Kuldeep Kumar, Naresh Kumar, Vikram Singh, Sandeep Gupta, Dinesh Sharma and Rimjhim Rajpoot. Devesh Ranjan’s Impressive filmography includes award winning Bhor, as well as an Hollywood Film Vaara.

Produced by Pushpendra Albe and Nikil Pranav R under the banner Adopt A School Films, Joothan adds to Albe’s growing portfolio, which includes the patriotic drama Sector Balakot (2023) and Amaya (2024).