By Mabel Pais
“Strength of character isn’t always about how much you can handle before you break, it’s also about what you do after you have broken.” Robert Tew
“We cannot change situations in life, but we can change our attitudes towards them.” Mata Amritanandmayi
This English language movie is based on the story of Yadvi – a real-life princess, granddaughter of the then internationally renowned Maharaja Bhupinder of Patiala, Punjab, who though grown-up in one of the wealthiest families of the world ends up losing all such privileges in her middle age. How and why does she become forced to prepare her food and collect wood for the winter? In 1940’s India, before a hint of feminine assertiveness, how does a woman not only uphold her own dignity but also raise three refined daughters in the face of unexpected adversity?
The pure personification of integrity, Yadvi, will take you on her journey through the India of Kings and Queens, of Princes and polygyny. Her deep internal strength bolstering her family honor will inspire you!
His Highness Maharaja Bhupinder Singh (1891-1938) who took the throne of Patiala in 1901, is one royal name that is indelible in the archives of Indian history. Among his several contributions and achievements to Punjab, India and the world was his grandiose lifestyle: he was the first individual in India to own an aircraft; had a fleet of 20 Rolls Royces at his disposal; created and wore a custom-made Cartier necklace encrusted with 2,930 diamonds, which today sits in a museum; built several prominent buildings in the state; traveled the world holding important offices; was captain of a cricket team and donated the Ranji Trophy (used until today) to the game of cricket. Further, he worked tirelessly for his subjects’ betterment and introduced many social reforms in Patiala.
So why would one of his daughters spend her life as a commoner?
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s great-granddaughters Jyoti Singh and Gauri Singh bring alive the struggles in the life of their grandmother Rajmata Yadhuvansh Kumari’s (Yadvi, for short), detailing her journey from a princess to a commoner in their film, Yadvi: The Dignified Princess.
It’s a true story of enduring personal and financial hardships but never giving up on life.
Photos / Courtesy Jyoti Singh
The film is the tale of Princess Yadvi (also named Alice after “Alice In Wonderland”) from Patiala, a woman dealing with the complexity of the social norms that permeated post-independence Indian society. She, the daughter of the Maharaja of Patiala, was set to marry a Rajput prince from Maiher, Madhya Pradesh, to fortify the political ties between her kingdom and that of the prince. The impediment, however, was that she would move to the prince’s kingdom only on turning 21. What unfolds from this point on is a story wrought with unexpected twists and turns, putting into light questions about relationships, norms and traditions that characterized royalty and Indian society in an era of the past. It is the story of a woman who loved and stuck by her convictions in the face of adversity.
“Yadvi: The Dignified Princess,” set in India and New York, also touches upon the political upheavals at the time, especially when the princely states were being integrated into India, revealing an unseen side of the royalty.
Gauri Singh, Jyoti Singh’s real-life older sister wrote the film, Jyoti Singh plays the title role of her grandmother Princess Yadvi, the daughter of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and Maharani Bimal Kaur. Jyoti Singh along with Vick Krishna, has directed the film. The melodious music has been composed by the talented Anuj Garg.
Jyoti Singh, star of the 2011 Indo-American film, 9 Eleven, said she decided to play Princess Yadvi since, having spent 14 years of her childhood with her, nobody knew her better than she did.
Another highlight of the film is Maachis actor Chandrachur Singh, who plays the Maharaja of Patiala. The cast includes Dina Rosenmeier, Siraj Huda, Vibhu Raghave, Aishwarya Raghave, Nikkitasha Marawaha, Rahul Godara, Resha Sabarwal, Bernadine Linus, Marianne Borgo, Gauri Singh, Kuvam Handa, and Yadvi Handa.
The movie is produced by RVP Productions by executive producer Sumeet Verma.
Yadvi: The Dignified Princess, screened at various film festivals across the country, has been warmly embraced by viewers. Some of the film festivals where the film has been honored in various categories include the North Carolina International South Asian Film Festival, Rishikesh Art & Film Festival, Rajasthan International Film Festival, 4th Indian Cine Film Festival and Global Film Competition.
The first-time director recently won the ‘” Best Emerging Female Director’’ award at the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival.
The director believes that her “love towards animals and kids, humanity to help out the world, punctuality, strength, patience, spirituality, and perseverance; the pillar of strength to survive all obstacles with a smile; humility and peace” come from Yadvi.
Every day, she would do gardening with the grandchildren, never acted like a royal person. She would make them do household chores, even when they had help. Jyoti never understood why. Yadvi always said, ‘You never know where your life takes you,’” Jyoti Singh recalls.
Yadvi was inspired by and followed the magic keys to life (by Robert Tew): “Wisdom is knowing the right path to take; integrity is taking it…. strength of character isn’t always about how much you can handle before you break, it’s also about how much you can handle after you’ve broken…having courage to face the truth…do the right thing simply because it is right.”
The movie runs from June 1 to 7 at New York City’s Cinema Village at 22 East 12th Street.
For more about the movie and its schedule, visit https://www.cinemavillage.com/Now-Playing/yadvi-the-dignified-princess.html
https://www.cinemavillage.com/meet-and-greet/yadvi-q-a.html
To learn more about Jyoti Singh, visit www.jyotisingh.net.
To get a sneak peak, watch the trailer of the movie at
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, andSpirituality)