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“A thoughtful, moving and, above all, important exploration of the power of theatre to impact a generation and incite a revolution.”

Sonia Faleiro
Author, Beautiful Thing

“I see the parallels of what happened to the Chhara and what has historically happened to the African American and Native American populations in the US…”

Sharbari Ahmed
The Daily Star

Over sixty million Indians belong to communities imprisoned by the British as 'criminals by birth.' The Chhara of Ahmedabad, in Western India, are one of 198 such 'Criminal Tribes.' Declaring that they are 'born actors,' not 'born criminals,' a group of Chhara youth have turned to street theater in their fight against police brutality, corruption, and the stigma of criminality — a stigma internalized by their own grandparents. Please Don't Beat Me, Sir! follows the lives of these young actors and their families as they take their struggle to the streets, hoping their plays will spark a revolution. [Learn More]

Our English subtitled DVD is available for purchase!

Movie poster based on original artwork by Daisy Rockwell.
Design by S. Ashraf Meer and Arsheya Rauf.

“…despite the seriousness of the topic, I enjoyed watching this film… it managed to be fun and was very compelling.”

Lavanya M. Proctor
Anthrocharya

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Shashwati Talukdar

An independent filmmaker, Shashwati’s work ranges from documentary, narrative and experimental. Shashwati worked as an editor in the film and television industry, where she got her start as an assistant editor for a TV show by Michael Moore.

P. Kerim Friedman

Kerim is an associate professor in the Department of Ethnic Relations and Cultures at National Dong Hwa University, where he teaches linguistic and visual anthropology. His research explores the relationship between language, ideology and political economy in Taiwan.

vimuktalogoVimukta is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit to help support India's Denotified Tribes. We currently support a library and community center run by Budhan Theatre and we are raising money to help support the children's division of Budhan Theatre. You can learn more at the Vimukta website.

Four Nine and a Half Logo

Please Don't Beat Me, Sir! is a production of Four Nine and a Half Pictures, Inc..