Watch Dharm

Dharm, a 2007 Indian drama film directed by Bhavna Talwar, tells the story of Pandit Ram Narayan Chaturvedi (Pankaj Kapur), an orthodox Hindu priest and head of a temple in Varanasi. Ram Narayan is a strict follower of Hindu rituals, has a strong belief in the caste system, and dislikes people who do not follow the same. One day, a group of tribal people seek shelter in the temple after their village is destroyed in a landslide. They are considered untouchables by society and are discriminated against by upper-caste people like Ram Narayan. Despite initial resistance, Ram Narayan allows them to stay in the temple but insists that they follow all the rules and regulations of Hinduism to stay there. As they follow his orders and perform their duties, Ram Narayan starts to question his own beliefs and wonders if his rigid attitude towards the caste system is causing more harm than good.

At the same time, the temple committee is pressurizing Ram Narayan to hand over the temple's land to a lucrative deal. Ram Narayan sees this as a betrayal of his faith and refuses to comply, but this leads to intense confrontation between him and the committee. As the village leaders and local media get involved, the situation becomes chaotic, and Ram Narayan's beliefs and actions are scrutinized publicly.

Supriya Pathak plays the role of Sumitra, Ram Narayan's wife, and a strong feminist character. She supports her husband's initial decision to take in the tribal people and their belief in humanity, but she does not agree with his caste-based discrimination. Sumitra is a modern woman who questions the orthodox teachings of her husband and seeks change in society.

Pankaj Tripathi plays the role of Munna, a tribal man, leading the group staying in the temple. His character brings in the essence of humanity and simplicity to the movie.

The movie addresses several socio-cultural issues prevailing in India, de-constructs the rigid caste system, and portrays an inspiring message of humanity and kindness. Through the character of Ram Narayan, the movie highlights the need to question blind faith and the caste-based mentality that hinders growth and causes harm. It also showcases how one person's actions and beliefs can make a difference and spark change in society.

The film's direction and cinematography are impressive, highlighting the beauty and enchantment of Varanasi, the ancient city steeped in tradition and culture. The performances by the lead actors are commendable, especially Pankaj Kapur, who portrays the character of Ram Narayan with great skill and depth.

Overall, Dharm is a thought-provoking film that addresses crucial societal issues and delivers a powerful message for all viewers to consider. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in Indian culture, society, and the power of positive change.

Dharm is a 2007 drama. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.