An Insignificant Man

A chronicle of the spectacular rise of the Common Man’s Party (AAP) in India. The party’s logo, a broom, symbolizes its battle against the political establishment. Activist Arvind Kejriwal established the AAP in 2012 after the India Against Corruption protest movement failed to get an anti-corruption law passed. He used it as a vehicle to campaign for that year’s parliamentary elections in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

The film’s directors Khushboo Ranka and Vinay Shukla follow the campaign from its early beginnings and document the transformation of a grassroots movement into a significant political force – with all the internal conflicts that can entail. The increasing popularity of the party is matched by a growing ferocity in the campaign. At first the opponents of these political newcomers downplay the AAP’s importance; later on, however, the media resort to outright slander and the integrity of the party members is suddenly brought into question.