On Prakash Jha’s birthday check out the movie Parinati – The Inevitable directed by him starring Basant Josalkar, Surekha Sikri, Sudhir Kulkarni and Nandita Das. The movie is supposed to be based on a folk-tale from Rajasthan but I remember reading a similar Russian play.
Official Synopsis
Based on a folk-tale from Rajasthan ‘Parinati’ deals with the inherent tragedy of human avarice, which must inevitably lead to self-destruction.
Ganesh, the protagonist, is a potter who leads a happy and contented life in a remote village in a ternate time. The only ambition he and his wife Kurjan share is to get their only son Laxman married and bring a daughter-in- law home.
Destiny, however, has ordained otherwise. Ganesh is hand picked for his honesty and dedication by a local charitable Seth to become the caretaker of his Dharmashala (Inn) in the middle of the desert. There, Ganesh and Kurjan meet a wealthy couple, who are greatly pleased with their service and hospitality. They offer to take their son Laxman to distant lands, teach him trade and make him fabulously rich.
To Ganesh and his wife the idea is outrageous. How can they part with their only son and what for? They don’t need to get rich.
But the net has been cast. The trader paints a golden future. They begin to dream of riches. Why must they deprive their son of such an opportunity? They persuade themselves to let Laxman go.
Ganesh and Kurjan are left behind pining for their son. They begin to feel that had they been rich, they would not have parted company with their beloved son. Becoming wealthy becomes an obsession with them. Their soul is corrupted with desire and from here it is a tale of bloodshed and havoc that their insatiable greed wreaks on the unsuspecting travellers who come to stay at the inn from far and wide. The mirage of riches leads them slowly, but surely, to the inevitable outcome that awaits them at the far and of the horizon.
Blinded by desire they destroy everything. Even their son for whom they have been waiting for twelve long years.
Tags: Exclusive Nandita Das Parinati - The Inevitable Prakash Jha Surekha Sikri Tanqeed Film Festival
This is one of the earliest movies I saw on Doordarshan in the late 80s after we bought a TV. Its an art film and I could never forget the story. Many years later read a Russian Play in college with the same story but don’t remember the name of the play.
I did not remember the movie name either and tried a lot to find the name here and elsewhere. Thanks to @nilda for finally helping me find the name of the movie.
this one brought lot of old memories back.. i need to revisit few movies of this era, also be on tanqeed more often. Any recommendations?
will watch Pankaj Kapoors Dharm today.
Had watched Dharm when it came out and liked the movie. Pankaj Kapur was good as usual and the kid acted very well too. The scene of him going to meet the kid was very good. I hope you will like it too.
By movies of that era do you mean movies from the 80s? You must have already seen all or most of these – Chasme Budddoor, Katha, Saaheb, Jaane Bhi Do Yaroon, Mirch Masala, Ardh Satya, Ijaazat, Namkeen, Chameli Ki Shaadi, Woh 7 Din, Saaransh, Angoor, Arjun.
I want to start watching old Bollywood movies in the next few months. I always had difficulty watching pre 1970 movies but I am going to try.
Thanks for commenting @nilda and you need to be here more often. Have made quite a few changes here with real time posts/comments updating.