Mitti Ek Nayi Pehchan review: Ishwak Singh's film brings rural India alive onscreen

India Today

7 days ago

'Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchan' isn't your usual small-town drama. There's no unnecessary glamour or over-the-top drama. The show moves at its own simple, steady pace, just like the village it's set in, Dol Chhapra. From the very first scene, where villagers are seen trying to chase away nilgai from their fields, the tone is set. It feels urgent, emotional, a bit chaotic, yet very real.advertisementThe story revolves around Raghav Sharma (played by Ishwak Singh), a successful ad professional from Mumbai, known for adding a desi touch to modern ads. But his life takes a turn when he hears about his grandfather's death and returns to his village. There, he finds his family stuck in heavy debt because of a failed farming experiment by his father. His grandfather's values, honesty, simplicity, and deep faith in farming still linger in the village.Raghav tries to balance his job by working from home while learning about farming, but soon loses his job. Slowly, he distances himself from his fast-paced city life and decides to stay in the village, determined to bring back his family's lost respect and start fresh.
Ishwak Singh plays Raghav in a very simple and natural way. He doesn't try to act like a hero or be dramatic. Instead, he shows Raghav as a real person with every kind of emotion - anger, confusion and memories of the past. His moments feel honest, especially when he breaks down alone in silence.
One of the most touching scenes is when he quietly sits at his grandfather's favourite spot in the village, lost in thought. There are no dialogues, no dramatic background music, just pure emotion. In that moment, he remembers his grandfather's words - "Sansaar ka yehi niyam hai, jab phal pakk jaate hein toh shehar chale jaate hain and ped saare yahin reh jaate hain. (This is the rule of the world, when the fruit ripens, it goes to the city, but the tree always stays behind in the village)."
Supporting him in the village are his childhood friends Baiju (Pranjal Pateriya) and Maahoo (Piyush Kumar), whose own city dreams are on hold but whose loyalty is unwavering. Shruti Sharma as Kritika Singh, the district collector, brings intelligence and calmness to the screen. Though initially positioned as a strong reformer within the system, her arc sadly drifts to the sidelines.Diksha Juneja as Stuti, Raghav's girlfriend from Mumbai, remains supportive but underused in the story. Meanwhile, Alka Amin shines as the wise and witty dadi, anchoring the emotional core of the family. Yogendra Tikku, though seen briefly as dadu, becomes the silent voice guiding Raghav throughout his journey.
'Mitti' shows rural India just the way it is, without any glamour or filters. The muddy fields, broken walls, dim lights, and slow-moving e-rickshaws all feel very real and relatable. Nothing looks fancy or made-up. The camera takes its time, letting us feel the village life fully. The camera holds long enough to let the environment speak, and the subtle sound design - crickets, wind, distant voices - adds to the immersive experience.
The best part about 'Mitti' is that it treats its story with honesty and respect. It doesn't show farming as something fancy, nor does it present village life as a picture-perfect scene where everything is green and beautiful. Instead, it shows the real struggles, tiredness, daily challenges, and how farmers silently keep fighting. The story makes you think deeply: What does it mean to truly belong somewhere? What happens when you leave and come back? How do you carry forward a family's name and values? Raghav is on a journey to discover something new and, at the same time, he's also trying to remember what he had once left behind.advertisementAll parts of the story don't get equal focus, like romance, family issues, and politics are shown but not explored fully. Still, the main message and emotions of the show remain strong.'Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchan' is a simple, heartfelt series that connects deeply with the reality of rural India. It's not about being a big drama, but a meaningful story that stays with you even after it ends.The series is currently available in MX Player.- Ends3 out of 5 stars for 'Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchan'