Watch Padma Nadir Majhi

Padma Nadir Majhi is a Bengali drama film from 1993 directed by Goutam Ghose, based on the novel written by Manik Bandopadhyay. The movie portrays the struggle of the villagers living near the river Padma amidst poverty, natural calamities, and the exploitation of the rich landlords in the pre-independence era during the British rule.

The story takes place in a small village named Bahirabari, where the majority of the inhabitants are fishermen living on the banks of the river Padma. The village is situated in an extremely impoverished region of Bengal, which is stricken by recurrent floods every year, causing severe damage to life and property.

The movie's protagonist, Hori, played by Raisul Islam Asad, is a fisherman who lives with his wife and children in a small hut on the riverbank. He and his fellow fishermen depend solely on fishing for their livelihood, but the constant depletion of fish in the river due to pollution and overfishing has driven them to poverty.

One day, Hori meets a wealthy landlord named Haru, played by Utpal Dutt, who promises to provide them with fish every day if Hori agrees to sell his fishing rights to Haru. Hori and his fellow fishermen see this as an opportunity to earn a steady income and agree to Haru's proposal. However, things turn out to be different than what Hori and his fellow fishermen expected. Haru starts exploiting them and takes advantage of their poverty, and they are forced to work as bonded laborers on Haru's lands.

Meanwhile, a young widow, Rada, played by Roopa Ganguly, moves into the village and is ridiculed by the other villagers for not observing traditional Bengali customs. Rada, who has been ostracized from her family and forced to leave her village due to a scandal, finds solace in Hori's family, and the two develop a close bond. But their relationship is frowned upon by the villagers, and they are forced to leave the village.

As the monsoon arrives, the river's current becomes stronger, and the villagers face the threat of losing their homes and livelihoods. Hori and his fellow fishermen face severe obstacles in their pursuit of fishing, and Haru and the British authorities make their lives even more challenging.

Further, the British authorities impose a tax on the villagers for fishing in the river, which adds to their already overwhelming burden of debt. Hori and his fellow fishermen decide to stand up against the British authorities and Haru, and the villagers join them in their movement for independence. They attempt to defy the odds and struggle to preserve their livelihoods and dignity.

The movie is a masterpiece in its own right, evoking strong emotions of hope and despair, courage, and determination. The scenic beauty of the village and the river Padma is breathtaking, captured well by the cinematography of Ashok Mehta. The portrayal of the characters is excellent, with Raisul Islam Asad delivering his career-best performance as the lead protagonist. Utpal Dutt also delivers a memorable performance as the villain.

In conclusion, Padma Nadir Majhi is a must-watch movie that portrays the hardships and struggles of the people living on the banks of the river Padma. It is a beautiful and heart-wrenching story of resilience and courage that inspires the viewer to stand up for their rights and fight against oppression.