Mandi, an award winning short film on farmers plight

There are a few films that leave a lasting imprint, and Mandi is one such short film. Running for just ten minutes, it manages to evoke strong emotions and remain etched in your mind long after it ends.

Mandi is a Marathi short film (made around 2018 or 2019) directed by Yashowardhan Mishra, and it presents the reality of a small farmer’s life with unflinching honesty. It avoids the usual diversions of politics or commentary on capitalism. Instead, it focuses directly on the core of the issue—the helplessness of a farmer who has no control over the price for his produce.

The story is simple. A farmer loads sacks of onions into a mini-truck, helped by his wife who sends him off with silent anxiety. Her face says it all—if he doesn’t return with money, the family may not have a meal. As he sets off, their young son jumps into the truck to accompany him. Once they reach the mandi, the regulated market system leaves the farmer with no choice. He is forced to part with the entire load without earning a single rupee. Worse, he ends up paying from his own pocket towards transportation, loading, and mandi fees.

The final moment, where the boy—unable to bear the situation—scatters the onions in frustration, is heart-wrenching. It is not dramatised, yet it hits hard.

MANDI : a short film by Yashowardhan MishraYou might find yourself questioning the authenticity of what’s shown. Is this how it really works? But a bit of reading or even a simple search online is enough to confirm the harsh truth. And that is exactly why this film stays with you.

The director captures a powerful moment without saying much—when the farmer stands silently as the trader punches numbers into a calculator, it is his young son, just six or seven and still in his school uniform, who quickly calls out the final total. In that quiet scene, the film reminds us that education is the only real hope. It is not just about numbers, but about breaking the cycle of helplessness.

Kailash Waghmare as the farmer and Nihaal Joshi as the boy deliver sincere performances that suit the tone of the film. My best wishes to the entire team behind Mandi.

The film is available to watch for free on YouTube.

Mangoidiots rating: Ripe.