The film is woven around desperate slum dwellers, who have caught up in the vicious circle of poverty, trying to migrate to the West by unauthorized means.
Manoj, a barman and Stanley, a fruit seller firmly believe the answer to their abject poverty is laid in migrating to the West. They did not give up their quest even after visas were rejected on several occasions. A chance encounter of an invitation to a handball tournament in Bavaria seems to be the god-given chance for the desperate youth.
Mock training sessions were conducted without knowing the basics of handball and the team is gradually augmented with new members from diverse ethno-linguistic backgrounds. The team is made up of a grave-digger, barman, fruit seller, peon and couple of stranded foreign would-be illegal immigrants.
Following the rejection of visa on the ground of not obtaining permission from Sri Lankan authorities, Manoj seeks the assistance of a master forger Ruan. Team who successfully entered Germany and after being defeated thrice, vanished into thin air never to be found again.
Written by Ruwanthie de Chickera and Uberto Pasolini, the film Machan explores the very rationale behind strict migration laws which favour professionals from poor countries against economic migrants aspiring better life in the West and helping their kith and kin in their countries of origin.
Though wrapped in humour, Machan gives an insight into the mindset of illegal immigrants and circumstances that led to their daring escapes into Europe which they believe would be the answer to crushing poverty in their countries of origin.
Underneath the fabric of story is the perennial question whether each and every member of the global community enjoys the freedom of travel. While some have access to all parts of the globe, others, travelling is restricted on political, economic, racial and regional lines.
There are some who are denied to travel outside their place of birth. These hapless economic migrants, who crossed the seas risking their lives, are categorised as illegal immigrants.
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