Cast: Shabana Azmi, Anant Nag, Sadhu Meher, Priya Tendulkar.
Release Year: 1974.
Director: Shyam Benegal.
Ankur is a movie
that can be credited for starting the ‘Parallel Cinema’ movement in India. Shyam
Benegal’s critically acclaimed debut was a box office success as well and went
on to win three National Awards.
Surya (Anant Nag) is a college student who wants to pursue further
studies but is sent away to manage his share of the family land far away from
the village. Married to a young bride Saru (Priya Tendulkar) who will stay at
her parents’ house till she attains puberty, Surya finds himself attracted to
his servant Lakshmi (Shabana Azmi). Lakshmi is married to an unemployed
deaf-mute potter, Kishtayya (Sadhu Meher) who also does a few odd jobs for
Surya. Lakshmi spurns Surya’s advances at first. But when Kishtayya is caught
stealing toddy and disappears without a trace, she submits to him. However, it isn’t
very clear whether she chooses to have an affair because she is attracted to
Surya, or because she does not want to lose her job.
The affair is passionate at the outset, but the fire soon
diminishes as Saru comes to live with Surya. Having heard the rumours of her
husband affair, she does not waste any time in sending Lakshmi away from the
house. Meanwhile, Lakshmi’s pregnancy adds to Surya’s troubles; and gives him
the opportunity to treat her with disdain. Lakshmi is caught in a sticky
situation when Kishtayya returns and assumes himself to be the father of the
child.
Ankur is shot
gorgeously, in bright blues, yellows and reds. Shabana Azmi’s performance is luminous
and quite remarkable for a debut. The film won her the first of her five
National Awards. Anant Nag is also very impressive as the rich, spoilt brat. The
film’s background score mostly consists of natural sounds and is beautifully
used throughout the film. The film also laid down certain topics that Benegal used
in many of his later films.
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