Watch Susman

Susman is a 1987 Indian drama film directed by Shyam Benegal and starring Shabana Azmi, Om Puri, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. Set in the backdrop of the Indian state of Rajasthan, the film depicts the life of a small town school teacher, Rukmini Bai, who after being widowed at a young age, struggles to make ends meet while trying to raise her daughter. The film follows her journey as she fights for her rights and dignity against a patriarchal society that thrives on the suppression of women.

The film opens with Rukmini Bai, a school teacher in a small village, getting the sad news of her husband's death. As she tries to come to terms with the tragedy, she realizes that she has to fend for herself and her daughter. She faces several obstacles as she tries to get her husband's pension and the authorities keep denying her requests. She is forced to sell her jewelry to make ends meet and starts living a frugal lifestyle.

Rukmini Bai's life takes a turn for the worse when she is raped by a local politician. Dealing with the aftermath of the incident is a grueling process, as she is ostracized by her male-dominated society, but her spirit refuses to break. She decides to fight against the rapist and goes to court but faces humiliation and criticism from the people of the town.

Her troubles multiply when her teenage daughter Radha develops a crush on a young man and the patriarchal society forces Rukmini Bai to marry off her daughter quickly. She is caught between her parental instincts and societal compulsions where not obeying the norms will cast shame on her family. The story further evolves as she tries to settle the issue of her daughter's marriage and how she overcomes the various hurdles that come her way.

The movie brings out the harsh reality of societal norms and the oppression women face in Indian villages. Rukmini Bai's character is a symbol of empowerment and defiance against the norms that she knows in her heart are not correct. It shows how women in villages are denied access to education, livelihood, and basic human rights.

The film is set in a rural and rustic locale, with the desert as its background. The cinematography captures the beauty and starkness of the village very well, with the changing hues of the sky bringing out the emotions of the characters.

The performances by the lead actors are outstanding. Shabana Azmi as Rukmini Bai is highly convincing in portraying her character's struggle to fight against injustice, and her portrayal of the character is memorable. Om Puri as the villainous politician is equally convincing in his portrayal of a ruthless and corrupt person. Kulbhushan Kharbanda, as always, is brilliant in his character as Rukmini Bai's confidante and supporter, always giving her a shoulder to lean on.

The film's musical score is composed by Vanraj Bhatia, and the songs are soulful and bring out the emotions of the lead characters. One of the film's highlights is the song "Yeh Bata De Mujhe Zindagi," sung by Shabana Azmi, which reflects the despair, desolation, and hopelessness that the character is experiencing.

Overall, Susman is an excellent film that highlights the issues and struggles of women in Indian villages. The film brings out the emotions of the characters very well and portrays the harsh reality of societal norms and patriarchy. It is a must-watch for everyone who wants to understand and empathize with the struggle of women who still face oppression in many parts of India.