There was a lot of hype surrounding this film when it was due to be released. It boasts a uniquely all star cast with many
of the best Hindi actresses of our time.
It was a bold move by writer and director Rajkumar Santoshi to chose a topic that was so close to reality. This film exposes the plight of
women in Indian society. Uniquely it shows how the degradation and oppression of women traverses all class and cultural boundaries. The stories of these women can be seen in any Indian newspaper in any Indian city they are that commonplace.
However the brilliance of Rajkumar Santoshi is shown by the fact that these stories are brought to life by his exquisite writing and direction. Immediately we are engrossed in the characters and are willing them to survive or do well.
My only disappointment with this film was that due to the number of characters and stories it has the feel of a soap opera. We move quite quickly form one character to the next and because of the mini plots the film does at times feel disjointed.
However once we move past the interval the film takes a turn for the better. The pace of the film suddenly quickens and the female characters are played wonderfully by Maduri Dixit and Rekha. In this half though it is Rekha who shows why she is such an acclaimed actress. She dominates this film with the portrayal of a powerful and respected village woman. We end up admiring her for her courage and her demise is both harrowing and a shock. Her final rape scene is and intense and highly emotional and Rekha's performance in it is stunning.
Maduri is magnificent as one would expect from such an accomplished actress. Her character is upbeat and an eternal optimist but she understands her helplessness once she is left by the farther of her baby. Maduri
plays this complex character with such ease and effortlessness the we feel that she is not acting at all. Her performance in this film is only exceeded by Rakha.
Anu Malik created the music for this film and in my opinion it does great justice to the movie. The music is respectful of the different characters and each track adds to the scene. The makers have promoted three songs which are 'Aaeeye, Aa Jaeeye' performed by Urmila Matondkar, 'Mujhe Saajan Ke Ghar Jaana Hai' performed by Sonali Bendre and 'Badi Mushkil Baba Badi Mushkil' performed by Madhuri and Manisha. These songs stand out for their skilful choreography and picturisation.
The film essentially tells the story of four women who have been tormented and exploited by men. It begins in the modern city of New York and concludes in a remote village in Uttar Pradesh.
Rekha plays the character of Ramdulari, who has worked hard to help other village women become self-sufficient. This progressive woman who in death, becomes a victim of the most violent and regressive side of humanity.
Madhuri Dixit plays Janki, who dares to live by her own unconventional rules. She is pregnant out of wedlock which is still a taboo in indian society.
Manisha Koirala plays the charecter of Vaidehi, who walks out on her husband and finds that she is not the only one who has been opressed. The story is told through her eyes as the narrator.
Mahima Chaudhary plays Maithili, who is a bride-to-be. Her helpless father bows down to the demands and humiliation of the groom's parents. The scene where she tells her husband to leave the marriage alter was so powerfull i almost stood up to applaud.
more infomation
Director
Rajkumar Santoshi
Star Cast
Rekha...... Ramdulaari
Madhuri Dixit...... Janki
Manisha Koirala...... Vaidehi
Anil Kapoor...... Raju
Mahima Choudhary...... Maithili
Jackie Shroff...... Raghu
Ajay Devgan...... Bulwa
Johny Lever
Danny Denzongpa
Gulshan Grover
Suresh Oberoi
Dina Pathak
Tinu Anand
Govind Namdeo
Farida Jalal
Rohini Hattangadi
Jagdeep
Asrani
Ritu Shivpuri
Razzak Khan
Sameer Soni...... Manish
Beena
Viju Khote
Sonali Bendre...... special appearance
Urmila Matondkar...... special appearance
Nasir Khan
Anjan ava
Aarti Chhabria...... Gajendra Babu's daughter
Sharman Joshi
Samarjit
Aarti Chhabria...... Gajendra Babu's daughter
Cassettes and CD's on
Universal
Cinematography
Madhu Ambat
Choreography
Ganesh Acharya
Action
Bhiku Verma
Pappu Verma
Art
Nitish Roy
Editor
V N Mayekar
Screenplay
Rajkumar Santoshi
Sound
Pradeep Suri
Dialogue
Rajkumar Santoshi
Ranjit Kapoor
Publicity Designs
HR Enterprises
Story / Writer
Rajkumar Santoshi