Ankur

“This debut directorial film from Shyam Benegal, deals with social disparities and exploitation. The film won Benegal immediate recognition as a film maker of maturity and promise, both in India and abroad. The story deals with the boredom of a college student, Surya (Anant Nag), at his family farm and his attraction towards Laxmi (Shabana Azami), the comely wife of poor, deaf and dumb potter, Kishtaya (Sadhu Meher). When Kishtaya is punished and humiliated for a petty crime, he runs away. Alone and vulnerable, Laxmi succumbs to the advances of Surya, and becomes pregnant. When she is thrown out of the job by Saru (Priya Tendulkar), Surya’s wife, she is totally alone and destitute. The characters and their complex motivations are dealt with deftly, aided by a brilliant performance from Shabana Azmi, in her first film.”