Katiyabaaz: The Battle for Electricity in Kanpur

Kanpur: A Modern Dystopia

Kanpur, an industrial city of over three million residents, presents a striking image of modern dystopia. The city suffers from crumbling infrastructure, widespread poverty, air and water pollution, and frequent power blackouts that disrupt daily life. For many families, electricity is a scarce commodity, determining whether homes are safe, children can study, and businesses can operate. The documentary *Katiyabaaz* captures this stark reality, revealing how inadequate urban planning and systemic inefficiencies force ordinary citizens into desperate measures just to secure the power they need to survive. The film situates Kanpur as both a symbol of India’s rapid industrial growth and the unintended consequences of neglecting public services in fast-expanding cities.

The Power Thief: A Robin Hood of Electricity

The central figure in the documentary is a 28-year-old amateur electrician who illegally taps into power lines of wealthier neighborhoods and redirects electricity to the poorer areas. Known locally as a “katiyabaaz” or power thief, his actions are controversial but also deeply human, highlighting the moral ambiguities inherent in a society where survival often requires bending or breaking rules. His ingenuity in bypassing meters, creating makeshift connections, and distributing electricity to those without access showcases both technical skill and a profound sense of social responsibility. The film follows him as he navigates neighborhoods, negotiates with wary residents, and avoids the authorities, creating a tense and immersive portrait of life on the margins.

The New CEO and the Fight for Power

Opposing the power thief is the new CEO of Kanpur’s local power company, a man determined to reduce blackouts and restore order to the city’s electrical system. The documentary carefully examines his challenges: malfunctioning infrastructure, political pressures, and a public that often distrusts formal authorities. As he implements reforms and attempts to clamp down on illegal electricity connections, the tension between his mission and the creativity of grassroots solutions becomes palpable. The audience sees not only the systemic obstacles he faces but also the human stories behind every blackout, demonstrating that public service in such a complex environment requires patience, negotiation, and an understanding of social realities.

Conflict, Creativity, and Survival

Filmed over a long, hot Indian summer, *Katiyabaaz* moves fluidly between the perspectives of the power thief and the CEO, creating a compelling narrative full of suspense, humor, and social commentary. The film highlights the everyday ingenuity of residents who adapt to frequent power outages, from families sharing limited electricity to local vendors improvising ways to keep businesses running. It also portrays the human cost of systemic failure—students unable to study, households struggling to cook, and medical devices left without power. At its core, *Katiyabaaz* is more than a story about electricity—it is a vivid exploration of inequality, resourcefulness, and the complex social dynamics that define modern urban India. Through its detailed depiction of the city, the people, and their daily struggles, the documentary becomes a portrait of resilience, creativity, and the persistent quest for survival in the face of structural challenges.