Aahana Swrup
In Mikhil Musale’s ‘Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video,’ a Hindi-language crime mystery film, the narrative follows Police Inspector Bela’s investigation into the titular character’s unique missing person case. Sajini Shinde is the physics teacher at Pune’s well-known K.P. High School. However, after a disreputable video of her drunken at her birthday party accidentally goes viral, it threatens to ruin her career as well as her personal relationship. As such, crushed under pressure and societal rejection, the woman disappears after posting a suicide note on her social media account.
Thus, Detective Bela, a tough and persistent cop, enters the scene to uncover the truth about Sajini’s case. Given the film’s thematic exploration of social issues, Sajini’s story ends up holding inherent ties to reality. Consequently, viewers are bound to be curious about Sajini’s character and question her basis in reality.
Sajini Shinde Is a Fictional Character Who Undergoes Realistic Issues
No, Sajini Shinde from ‘Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video’ is not based on a real-life person. Yet, her character harvests inspiration from a highly prevalent aspect of reality that many people, especially women, often fall victim to. Within the film, Sajini undergoes immense social scrutiny, amplified by her family, friends, and colleagues’ anger and disappointment. Due to one viral video, the woman’s life gets upturned for the worse overnight.
Even though Sajini’s character and the exact situation she faces is a product of the filmmakers’ imagination, her story remains rooted in reality. For instance, numerous cases have occurred in India of people committing suicide after their sensitive private videos were leaked. Furthermore, a number of teachers have seen suspension, mostly due to controversial political statements. Therefore, viewers might get a glimpse of such victims’ reality through Sajini’s story, which touches upon the common issues that tie such cases together.
Radhika Madan, the actress who helms Sajini’s role in the film, spoke about the same in a conversation with Hindustan Times and said, “It [the film] is not based on a particular story but is inspired by a lot of true events.” She further specified, “There was a teacher who posted a picture of her private Facebook account. Her student saw it, and the parents told the authorities. She was suspended for it. A lot of such stories are there. It’s [the film] a depiction of what can go wrong in social media.”
Although one can’t confirm the identity of the exact teacher whom Madan references due to the vague description, the actress’ statement regarding the ubiquity of such events remains crucial in understanding her character’s ties to reality. Through Sajini’s character, the narrative brings attention to several significant issues that plague society in the modern age of social media.
By having public access to a person’s private life, strangers end up holding too much power over individuals. As such, one ill-placed mishap can end up becoming instrumental in ruining anyone’s life through cyberbullying. Furthermore, Sajini’s particular case also highlights the severity with which society treats women. Even though Sajini’s character remains an ideal teacher throughout her career, one less-than-perfect night incriminates her forever. Likewise, her family also condemns her despite her previously stainless track record.
Therefore, through careful exploration of the aftermath of Sajini’s social rejection, the film is able to make a statement about the absurdity of society’s inclination toward upholding an individual’s so-called reputation over their safety. Ultimately, Sajini’s story effectively encaptures the feeling of isolation that such a situation of extreme social rejection can lead to. Furthermore, it parallels several real-life instances wherein social media’s misuse has led to grave outcomes. However, outside of the same, Sajini Shinde’s character holds no tangible connection to a real-life individual.
K.P. School Is a Fictional Institution
Much like the rest of the film, the K.P. School, Sajini Shinde’s place of employment, is also a work of fiction. Although viewers may be able to find many institutions that share a similar name as the high school depicted in ‘Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video,’ the similarity is only a coincidence born out of the common name.
Within the film’s narrative, K.P. High School remains a perfect medium to showcase the social backlash to Sajini’s viral video. Everyone, from students’ parents to faculty, has an opinion over Sajini’s character despite their minimal interpersonal relationship with her. Furthermore, everyone seems infinitely more concerned with how Sajini’s actions reflect on them instead of how their actions affect the woman. As such, within its fictional confinements, the school recreates a significant social environment reflective of real life.
Read More: Is Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video Inspired by a True Story?
