Draft:Rode College

Rode College (2024 Film)
Rode College is a 2024 Indian Punjabi-language coming-of-age socio-political drama film written and directed by Happy Rode, and produced by Ashu Arora and Etush Bansal. The film features an ensemble cast, including Manav Vij, Survinder Vicky, Yograj Singh, Sonpreet Jawandha, Isha Rikhi, and Dhanveer Singh, along with fresh talent from the Punjabi theatre community.

The film is loosely inspired by true events during the 1990s Punjab militancy era and the lives of students at the prestigious government colleges in Rode, Moga, Punjab. These colleges, namely Guru Nanak Govt. College and Govt. Polytechnic College, have a history of ruffianism, which is depicted through the story. Rode College explores themes of friendship, vengeance, youth power, politics, and culture, drawing inspiration from revolutionary leaders like Bhagat Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha.

Plot
The story is narrated through two timelines, one set in 2011 and the other twenty years earlier. The plot centers around Janta, a prisoner approached by two jail mates writing a book on Rode College. They request Janta to share details about a notorious incident at the college that made headlines. Initially reluctant, Janta eventually agrees due to a personal connection with one of the jail mates.

Janta begins the tale with the planning of a covert operation by an intelligence agency to expose a corrupt politician linked to an underworld criminal in Dubai. Preet, a Special Force officer, enrolls in Govt Polytechnic College to disrupt the political influence over the youth. He befriends the college president, Deep, and helps him realize the futility of his assumed power and the responsibilities he holds. A confrontation, the death of a senior, and words of wisdom profoundly change Deep's perspective.

The story takes a dramatic turn when Janta, Preet's mentor and an army officer, joins the mission. Janta recounts his own tragic experiences during the early 90s, including his family's suffering at the hands of the militancy movement and a corrupt minister named Teja (Gurtej). Janta’s brother, Gurdeep, becomes a militant and kills a disgraced police officer in revenge.

To safeguard themselves and gain support for an opposition party leader, Gurmukh, during the election campaign, they rally local support. However, the election results lead to greater risks. Facing imminent danger, Janta files a police complaint exposing the past of the now-prominent minister, Teja. The climax unfolds with the abduction of the minister’s son, leading to a series of events that culminate in a final confrontation, revealing long-awaited revenge and the arrival of an international criminal.

Cast
Manav Vij as Janta / Ex-Army officer

Dhanveer Singh as Preet / Special intelligence officer

Vishal Singh Brar as Deep Veroke

Yograj Singh as Gurtej Singh Gill

Sonpreet Jawandha as Gurdeep

Tirth Charikh as Jitt Singh

Isha Rikhi as Geet

Manpreet Dolly as Muskan

Arvinder Kaur as Noor

Survinder Vicky as Balwant Singh / Taya

Balwinder Begowal as Tayi

Kavi Singh as Sewak Singh Gill

Balwinder Dhaliwal as Lakhi

Raj Jodhan as Master

Jass Dhillon as Pirta

Rajveer Kaur as Pinky

Production
Development

The writers of the film spend more than one year on the scripts and worked on 8 drafts before finalising the final draft. The makers were headstrong to have the final bound script in hand before going on floor, unlike many others in the Punjabi industry.

Filming

The film is shot mainly at the very specific real locations to add authenticity to the film. Primary filming happened at Guru Nanak Govt College and Govt Polytechnic College, GTB Nagar, Moga. Few parts of the film were also shot inside the village of Rode.

Release
The film trailer was released worldwide on 24th may 2024.

The film had a limited theatrical release on 7th June 2024 in Punjab, UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The film received a lot of appreciation by the audience calling it the new age punjabi cinema.