Watch Damul
- 1985
- 1 hr 46 min
-
7.8 (147)
Set in a remote village in Bihar, Damul is a thought-provoking and intense film that exposes the harsh realities of the caste system and the greed and corruption that it spawns. The film, which is directed by Prakash Jha, tells the story of a group of bonded laborers who are forced to work for the affluent landowners in the village.
The film opens with the introduction of a group of laborers who work under the supervision of the zamindar, played by Manohar Singh. The laborers, who belong to the lower castes, are provided with a meager amount of food and are treated poorly by the zamindar and his men. The zamindar's right-hand man, played by Annu Kapoor, is particularly cruel and has no sympathy for the plight of the laborers.
One day, a young man from the village, played by Sreela Majumdar, joins the laborers and becomes the love interest of one of the bonded laborers, played by Rajendra Gupta. The newcomer is shocked by the treatment meted out to the laborers and decides to fight against the injustice. This brings him into direct conflict with the zamindar and his men.
As the story unfolds, the zamindar increases his demands on the laborers, who are already struggling to make ends meet. He expects them to work longer hours and provide him with a larger share of their earnings. The laborers protest against this, but their cries fall on deaf ears. The young man and his lover try to convince the laborers to join them in the fight against the zamindar, but most are reluctant to take any action that could lead to violence.
The turning point of the story comes when the zamindar accuses one of the laborers of theft and orders him to be beaten to death. The brutal act shocks the young man and his lover and finally spurs them into action. They organize the laborers and encourage them to fight for their rights. The zamindar, however, is not willing to give up his power and prestige, and a violent clash between the two groups becomes inevitable.
What follows is a gripping and heart-wrenching fight for justice, as the laborers and their leaders battle against the might of the zamindar and his men. The film portrays the brutal reality of life in rural India, where the caste system reigns supreme, and the poor are exploited by the rich and powerful.
Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, Damul is a beautifully crafted film. The director manages to strike a balance between the harshness of the world he portrays and the human emotions that drive his characters. The performances by the cast are top-notch, with Manohar Singh and Annu Kapoor delivering powerhouse performances as the zamindar and his right-hand man, respectively.
Overall, Damul is a must-watch film for anyone interested in social justice and Indian cinema. It is a hard-hitting and riveting tale that tackles important issues with sensitivity and honesty. The film is a testament to the enduring power of cinema to shed light on the darkest corners of our world and to inspire us to fight for a better tomorrow.