Friday, 29 June 2012

Movie Recommendation - Ankur


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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