Watch Ankur

Ankur is a 1974 Indian film directed by Shyam Benegal, starring Shabana Azmi, Sadhu Meher, and Anant Nag. Set in a small village in rural India, the movie tells the story of Surya (Sadhu Meher), a poor and illiterate farmer, and his wife, Saroj (Shabana Azmi), as they struggle to make ends meet and start a family. The film begins with a scene showing the beautiful and vast fields of the village, and introduces us to Surya and Saroj, who are living in a small hut on a piece of land that belongs to their rich landlord. The landlord's son, Kishtaya (Anant Nag), visits the couple often, and a romance develops between him and Saroj. Meanwhile, Surya is unable to impregnate Saroj, and they seek help from a doctor in the city, who tells them that Surya is sterile.

Desperate for a child, Saroj turns to Kishtaya and becomes pregnant with his child. When Surya finds out, he is devastated, but decides to raise the child as his own. As the child grows up, he starts to question his identity and learns the truth about his parentage, which leads to a tragic turn of events that exposes the social and economic inequality in the village.

The film is a powerful commentary on the exploitation of the poor and the oppressed by the rich and powerful in rural India. The story is told with great sensitivity and nuance, highlighting the complex social and economic structures that perpetuate inequality and exploitation.

The film also features strong performances by its cast, especially Shabana Azmi, who delivers a nuanced portrayal of Saroj, a woman caught between love, duty, and desire. Sadhu Meher is equally impressive as Surya, a man struggling to make sense of his place in a system that denies him agency and dignity. Anant Nag's character, Kishtaya, is complex and flawed, but ultimately sympathetic, adding a layer of moral ambiguity to the film.

The film's cinematography is also worth noting, with its stunning shots of the rural landscape and its use of natural light and color to convey the mood and emotion of the story. The film is a masterclass in storytelling, using visual and narrative elements to create a rich and nuanced portrayal of rural life in India.

Overall, Ankur is an essential film that explores themes of power, oppression, and identity in a way that is both timeless and relevant. It remains a seminal work in Indian cinema, and a must-watch for anyone interested in the medium.