Yet, the very process of his evolution from a rebellious tribal to a specialist doctor with the Government Medical College here, has drawn a film-maker all the way from Mumbai to the dense forest locations of Bhamragarh with a 200-strong unit to shoot a film based on this real-life character.

Madavi had, in fact, been the focus of Hakumi, a Marathi novel, authored in the late 80s by well-known litterateur Suresh Dwadashiwar, which now forms base of the film along with another literary work Eka Naxalvadyacha Janma by Vilas Manohar.

The film seeks to deal with the lifestyle, culture and traditions of the Maadia community -- which Dr Madavi belongs to -- against the backdrop of the Naxal movement and its impact on the tribals.

Says producer Sanjay Karambelkar, ``Whatwe are trying here is to come out with a hard-hitting message through an off-beat commercial movie that can appeal the classes and the masses as well.'' In the process, the film, directed by Sanjay Rawal of Wazir fame, touches the sensitive issue of Naxalism and the circumstances leading to its advent in the region.

Protagonist Kanna Madavi, who never hesitates to oppose certain tribal traditions, and his childhood-love Roopi form the lead characters. The script is developed around their evolution as a doctor and a naxalite respectively, and the apparent clash of ideologies when Kanna returns to his village as a doctor.

``We have also attempted at highlighting some of the unique traditions of the Maadias, which are in consonance with the law of nature,'' he observes. For instance, he says, their insistence on not milking cows, restraining from reaping the harvest for a specific period to enable birds to have the first go at the crops, affinity towards their pets and rituals like gothul andrela where young tribal boys and girls choose their life partners.

With a relatively impressive star cast comprising, Sayaji Shinde of Shool fame, who is enacting a Naxal dalam commander, Sharman Joshi of Godmother, who is in the lead role of Kanna Madavi, Divya Dutta who shot into prominence through the critically-acclaimed Train to Pakistan, Deepak Tijori and Akhilendra Mishra known for his portrayal of Mirchi Seth in the recent hit Sarfarosh.

Shot extensively at locations surrounding Bhamragarh, the unit has already been through with more than 60 per cent of work and the rest has been planned at locations in Mumbai and Igatpuri.

Talking to mediapersons on location, Karambelkar said the film would be sent to 200 film festivals across the world through the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), which has provided guidance to the Rs 2 crore project, and would be slated for a commercial release sometime around Diwali next year.