Peepli Live is a comic satire on politicians’ and the media’s reactions to farmer suicide in India. It tells the story of Natha, a poor farmer who lives in a village called Peepli in Mukhya Pradesh. Natha has a hard time making ends meet and can hardly provide for his brother Budhia, his wife Dhaniya and his mother Amma. On top of it all, Natha and Budhia often spend the little money they have on drinks and soon the family risks losing their house and land.

The Mukhya Pradesh Government calls for a by-election in order to avoid criticisms for the way they handle the extreme poverty in the area. The opposition Apna Dal Party goes after the party in power, the Sammaan Party and hopes to get rid of the Chief Minister, Ram Babu Yadav, played by Vishal O. Sharma and his Agriculture Minister, Saleem Kidwai, played by Naseeruddin Shah.

But one day Natha comes up with what he deems a brilliant idea; if he commits suicide, maybe his land and house will be saved and maybe he can even save his family who would receive money after his death thanks to a government program that helps deceased farmers’ families. What follows is a pell-mell of politicians and journalists who all see their own interest in this cause instead of dealing with the real problem.

Peepli Live has been screened at the Berlin International Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. It releases on August 13.