Kaagaz: 5 Real-Life Stories Of A Common Man And His Fight Against The Corrupt System

A common man has to go through a lot in his life – from economic struggle to even the struggle of existing peacefully. The latter often comes as a result of getting into trouble or going against the ones in power. ZEE5’s latest film, Kaagaz, is also based on a true story of such kind. Before we get to watch the film, let us take a look at five such stories where a common man went against a powerful and corrupt system.

Watch the trailer of Kaagaz here:

Manjunath Shanmugam

Manjunath Shanmugam was an IIM graduate and a sales officer in the Indian Oil Corporation. His short-lived fight began when he found out that 2 petrol pumps at Lakhimpur Khiri in Uttar Pradesh, were selling adulterated petrol. He, as an officer, sealed the 2 pumps. However, he later found out that the pumps had begun functioning again without his knowledge. Manjunath, who had dedicated himself to the truth of this fuel station and absolutely refused the selling of impure fuel, went to the pump one day to confront the authorities. As a result of his going against them, the people in authority of the pump shot Manjunath and killed him. A trust was then started in his name, which continued to fight his case and got him justice. An integrity award is also named after him and honours those who find and fight systematic corruption. A film was made on his story, titled Manjunath: Idiot Tha Sala.

Syed Amir Raza

Syed Amir Raza was a salesman in Pakistan. He was a common man who was struggling for a job and a good financial life in his country. He took up a sales job in Nestle and began selling a milk substitute for babies. One day he found out that the substitute was harmful and was killing the babies. He decided to fight a huge corporation like Nestle on this and sent them a legal notice. His battle went on for years, and eventually, he had to flee the country with his family to save his and their lives. He feared that the corporation would not let him live and thus fled to Canada, where he now drives a cab and sells second-hand cars. A film was made on his struggle, titled Tigers.

Also Read: Kaagaz Trailer: Pankaj Tripathi Steals The Show As A ‘Dead Man Walking’ In This Satirical Comedy

Anna Hazare

The most influential and famous social activist of current times, Anna Hazare’s story of his fight against the bureaucracy isn’t unknown. Previously being in the Indian Army, Anna Hazare began his protests against corruption in 1991. His earliest protests began in Maharashtra and in the coming decades, his protests reached a nation-wide aim. From hunger strikes to indefinite fasts, he has always chosen non-violent ways of protests against the system, like Gandhiji. For these protests, he has been arrested, and plans to assassinate him have also been revealed. The fight of Anna against bureaucracy gained the biggest support and inspired thousands.

G R Khairnar

Govind Ragho Khairnar was a common man who went on to become an officer in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). His fight began against the corrupt system when he noticed illegal encroachments across the city and brought them to attention. Due to this, he was suspended and brought to trial for insubordination. However, he won the case in High Court and was reinstated in his position in the BMC. Thereafter, he continued his battles against the land mafias and land encroachments. The people recognized his fight and gave him the title ‘One Man Demolition Army’. He has also written his autobiography in Marathi, titled, Ekaki Zunj.

Lal Bihari ‘Mritak’

Lal Bihari, a farmer and later an activist from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, has a unique story of struggle. While once applying for a loan in a bank, he discovered that he has been declared dead in government records. When he began his fight against the government officials to prove that he is alive, he found that a hundred other people have witnessed a similar fate. For this, he began a ‘Mritak Sangh’ (Association of Dead People) where all of them could fight together to prove their existence. After 17 long years of fighting against the system, Lal Bihari was proven alive. His is the story that inspired the film Kaagaz.

Kaagaz premieres on ZEE5 on January 7, 2021.

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