Dilip Wagh’s Evangelical Journey in India

Verghese V Joseph

 

Little did Dilip Wagh, a fledging moviemaker-turned-evangelist, know that two horrific events would change his life forever. Impacted by these incidents, he then made it his life’s mission to spread the message of Jesus across the multi-cultural and multi-religious melting pot of India.

 

The first incident was the cruel torching of a 58-year-old Australian evangelical missionary Dr. Graham Stuart Staines and his two young sons, Philip (aged 10) and Timothy (aged 6), to death while they were sleeping in their station wagon on a warm night of January 22, 1999. This happened at Manoharpur, a small village in the south-eastern State of Odisha (then Orissa) in India.

 

For 34 years, Dr. Staines worked among people with leprosy in that State. He was killed allegedly for converting people to Christianity, which he never did. The best he could be accused of was treating patients suffering from leprosy as human beings. The ghastly killing attracted worldwide condemnation back then.

 

Killing Fields of Kandhamal

 

The other incident was an unparalleled massacre of over 100 innocent Christians during 2007-2008 in the district of Kandhamal, again in Odisha. The attack on Christians was ostensibly for the murder of a Hindu swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati on August 23, 2008, in what was widely reported as a Maoist attack.

 

The retaliatory attack can only be described as a gut-wrenching pogrom. Over 100 people were brutally killed, close to 400 churches and places of worship were destroyed, and nearly 6,500 houses were damaged. Tragically, about 40 women, including nuns, were reportedly raped and sexually assaulted by the rampaging mobs. In addition, several Christian educational and health institutions were looted, and more than 75,000 people were displaced and had to spend several cold nights out in nearby mountains.

 

Leveraging His Media Ministry

 

Wagh was deeply touched and unable to forget the gruesome death of Dr. Staines. He decided to learn more about his life and work in India.

 

In 2002, Wagh began researching and gathering every aspect of Dr. Staines’ life and his contribution to Indian society. He did a detailed study of the incident by visiting the site where the unfortunate incident happened. Convinced by his pious work, Wagh then decided to showcase Dr. Staines’ work to the people in the form of a movie.

 

Wagh moped up funds by mortgaging his property for the movie project. He worked on the storyline and soon began filming on January 22, 2003. While filming, some far-right fundamentalists came and warned him not to go ahead with the film; else, he might have to face the same fate as Dr. Staines. They raised objections stating that there were many Indian saints and leaders, “Why don’t you make a movie on their lives? Why do you want to make a movie on a foreign Christian missionary?” Fearing for their lives, most of his crew and cast deserted him, which caused considerable disruption in his movie-making schedule.

 

Wagh underwent a substantial financial loss and mental stress. However, these setbacks did not deter his passion and determination from making the movie. He kept pushing and approached many investors for this project. Not a single investor dared to back him financially.

 

Support from Unexpected Quarters

 

Wagh then decided to strike it out alone. Seeing his restlessness and eagerness, his friends came forward to support him financially. Around this time, a youngster named Satish Pardesi met Wagh and, after learning of his desire to make the movie, extended his unconditional support to complete the film, come what may.

 

He met a filmmaker Deepak Shivde from Nasik during this time, who boosted Wagh’s confidence by agreeing to work together. However, the project had overshot the budget due to time and cost overruns. Sensing his plight, his wife Rohini offered her entire jewelry for completing the movie. His sister Sangita too chipped in with jewellery and cash. Wagh set about reshooting the film with a new crew and cast with renewed vigor. With whatever money he had, he worked relentlessly to shoot the film.

 

Starting with new actors, technicians, and a new location was not easy, but Wagh completed this movie project after 17 years of struggle by God’s grace. He named the movie “Warpath- Beyond the Life” He ensured it had a good storyline, an excellent direction and quality production. 

 

The film hit the screens on April 28, 2017. Although the film went through all certification procedures, it had no resources to show it in many theatres. Providentially, many Christian Churches came forward, and the movie was shown on Christian premises – Halls, grounds, inside the churches, even in rural settlements! Not only did he show his film, but he also began to minister to the faithful!

 

Recognition and Awards

 

Soon enough, the movie was recognized by South International Awards for ‘Best movie on actual incidents’. Since then, Wagh has been lugging his movie equipment across the length and breadth of India, talking about the humanitarian work that Dr. Staines did through the power of Jesus. The movie depicts God’s love, compassion, and mercy through Staines’s work. 

 

So much so the movie went on to bag 50 national and international awards. It also gained an entry into the Guinness Book for completing 500 shows in 600 days in open theatres! As of today, the film has run 600 shows in 900 days in open theatres to nine million people!

 

Sharing his experience, Wagh seemed like a man with a mission. “My Prabhu (Jesus) has shown me the way to glorify Him! The huge response to the movie so gladdens me – people from villages, towns, and cities came in large numbers to watch the movie. I was moved when people came over and hugged me; some prayed over me while others said they saw Our Saviour Jesus in the movie!”

 

Speaking about Wagh’s missionary zeal, Mr. Anil Bhosle, President of Maharashtra Minority Christian Development Council, said, “Wagh is a lone warrior who uses the medium of film to explain Christian life, its mission, and contribution to all communities. For him, making ‘Warpath…’ is a spiritual adventure. The film manages to capture well the essence of Graham Staines’ missionary life. “Wagh’s film journey has been very tough. A living example of perseverance and hard work,” he said.

 

Inspired by Wagh’s commitment, Rev. Dr. Solomon Rongpi, Sr. Pastor, Diphu Baptist Church and Chairman of United Christians Forum in Diphu region of North-eastern state of Assam in India, said, “Dr. Dilip Wagh is a humble and hardworking servant of Jesus Christ. His movie is very relevant in today’s context; it greatly moves our emotions and challenges us. I saw many people crying and shed tears while watching the movie.”

 

He believes that the tribals’ faith in Christ will be strengthened further, and worshipers will be encouraged to stand against persecution and possess the power of forgiveness.

 

Catholic priest and Secretary for Ecumenism, Fr. Tom Mangattuthazhe of the North East India Regional Bishops’ Council & NESCOM (a media wing), has taken Wagh along during his travels to the Middle East and to some regions across India for screening of his film. Fr Tom came away impressed with Wagh’s commitment and desire to speak the Word of God. “Wagh speaks from the heart. He connects so well with people across cultures. His down-to-earth attitude creates a comfort zone with his viewers. His convincing ability to speak the truth has endeared him to the masses in villages and towns across India. I wish there were more of him to take the message of Christ where some of us traditionally can’t!”

 

Knowing his work, the University of Jerusalem, Chennai, India conferred on him Doctor of Humanity. He believes that the Almighty will reward him a thousand times more for what he has put into the movie project. He now works with an NGO called Asha Foundation and has adopted many children of farmers who were unable to repay their loans. Along with the movie screening across the country, he conducts motivational talks and ministers to them. He refrains them from committing suicide due to non-payment of loan amount and instead speaks of God’s benevolence and blessings.

 

Even the recent slapping of house mortgage notice from the authorities on his property has not deterred Wagh from showing his film to the believers of Christ across the hinterlands of India. His mission continues!