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Bandit Queen is a 1994 Indian biographical film directed by Shekhar Kapur, and starring Seema Biswas, Nirmal Pandey, and Rajesh Vivek in the lead roles. The film is based on the life of Phoolan Devi, a notorious bandit who became a legend in the northern region of India in the 1980s. It is considered one of the most authentic and controversial films ever made in India, as it explores issues of caste oppression, poverty, gender inequality, and violence.

The film opens with the young Phoolan being married off at a tender age to a much older man. Her husband mistreats and abuses her, and she soon becomes fed up with life as a subservient wife. She runs away from her husband's home and eventually finds herself in the midst of a group of outlaws who are determined to take revenge against the upper-caste Thakurs who have oppressed them for years. The outlaws take Phoolan in, and she soon becomes one of them.

As Phoolan becomes more involved in the group, she becomes increasingly violent and vengeful towards the upper-caste Thakurs. She commits various brutal crimes against them, including robbing them and killing them. However, her brutality is not completely without reason. The outlaws have been oppressed and marginalized for so long that their only recourse is violence. The film explores the root cause of this violence, which is the caste system that has created deep-seated social and economic disparities.

Phoolan's life as a bandit is not without its share of tragedy. She is gang-raped by upper-caste Thakurs, who consider her a lower-caste woman who has overstepped her societal boundaries. This event is one of the most pivotal moments in the film, as it marks a turning point in Phoolan's life. She realizes that the only way to fight against the oppressive caste system is to use violence to achieve justice.

The film provides a powerful commentary on the patriarchal structure of Indian society. Women like Phoolan are not allowed to speak out against the violence and oppression they face, and as a result, they are forced to take matters into their own hands. The film is a powerful indictment of the caste system and of the institutionalized violence and discrimination that have been perpetuated against lower-caste groups.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is the way it portrays the raw emotions of the characters. There are moments of extreme brutality and violence, as well as moments of tenderness and sorrow. Throughout it all, the film remains focused on the character of Phoolan, who is played with remarkable poise and dignity by Seema Biswas. Biswas' portrayal of the titular Bandit Queen is filled with anger, sadness, and a fierce determination to change the world around her.

The film is unflinching in its portrayal of the world in which Phoolan lived. It does not sugarcoat the brutality of life as a bandit, nor does it shy away from the harsh realities of caste discrimination. However, it also provides a glimpse into the immense humanity of those who have been forced into banditry due to social and economic conditions beyond their control.

Overall, Bandit Queen is a compelling and thought-provoking film that explores complex issues of caste, gender, and violence. It is a remarkable work of cinema that continues to resonate with audiences to this day. The film is a testament to the power of cinema to bring important social issues to the forefront, and to inspire change in the world around us.

Bandit Queen is a 1994 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.