Lajja - Empowering Indian Women

Gorgeous Sonali Bendre in Mujhe Sajan Ke Ghar Jaana Hai song

 Hello again

My apologies for not posting on this forum for so long. I have been really busy with assignments and other things. I still do watch bollywood films – no doubt about that.

Anyway, I had been looking for the film ‘Lajja’ since the time I heard it has a women-oriented theme. And you all know how obsessed I am with this genre (if you didn’t, well you know now).

Maithli's plight and how she stands up for her self, her parents against the evil of dowry system

I was totally impressed by the plot of this film (obviously). The film focuses on four forms of Sita: Vaidehi (Manisha Koriala), Maithli (Mahima Chaudhry), Janki (Madhuri Dixit) and RamDulaari (Rekha). It shows how even in this so-called modern era, women still have to go through agnipariksha in various ways. It highlights the struggles women have to face and how significant decisions related to their lives are forced upon them. Out of the four ladies, only Manisha is seen throughout the film. However, the other three are equally remarkable. The issues highlighted in this film are quite depressing and heart wrenching even though it is quite evident in our society. 

The classic combination of beauty and talent : Madhuri Dixit

The film starts of with Vaidehi and Raghu (Jackie Shroff) fighting and results in Vaidehi running away as she learns that Raghu wants to take away their unborn child and possibly kill her if she refuses. Vaidehi meets several people as she continues her journey without the support of her own loved ones. She meets Raju (Anil Kapoor) a thief who is planning to escape to Dubai. Raju helps her hide from Raghu’s goons and they part ways. They meet again at Maithli’s wedding. Maithli’s father is being victimized by the in-laws for dowry. Maithli stands up for her father and reprimands her in- laws. Next, Vaidehi meets Janki, a stage performer who is pregnant with the child of the man she loves, Manish (Samir Soni). Purshotam (Tinnu Anand), the creepy owner of the stage company creates misunderstandings between Janki and Manish. While performing to the Ramaayan, Janki playing Sita refuses to give the agnipariksha and questions the despicable social norms which has double standards for females. Janki is eventually taken off to the mental asylum. Ram Dulaari is the last woman Vaidehi meets in her journey. Ram Dulaari believes in the development of women and teaches women in her village to work and educates them. She has a son, Prakash (Sharman Joshi) who is in love with Sushma (Aarti Chabria). Sushma is Gajendra’s (Danny Denzogapa) daughter. Ganjendra and his brother Vijendra (Gulshan Grover) have terrorized the village for ages. Ram Dulaari is brutally raped by the two brothers and killed. Vaidehi who has been seeking refuge with the bandit Bulwa (Ajay Devgan) come to learn about what happened to Ram Dulaari. Ulitimately Bulwa takes his revenge by killing off the brothers (Bulwa’s mother was also a vicitim of the two brothers’ atrocities). Raghu realizes his wrong doing and apologies to Vaidehi. Vaidehi obviously forgives him (rolling eyes) and lives happily with him. Raju marries Maithli and Janki has become a famous stage performer.

The women have significantly more larger and substantial roles as compared to their male counterparts. Madhuri Dixit and Rekha prove why they are the number one actresses of bollywood. Mahima Chaudry gives an impressive speech when she tells her in-laws off. Manisha Koriala, though she is good, fails to outshine the other three, even though she is in the film for the whole 3 Hours and 20 minutes. Ajay Devgan gives a fine performance as the village bandit. You could see the pain Bulwa has gone through in Ajay’s eyes. Jackie Shroff fails to impress as the chauvinist husband. Anil Kapoor is a darling.  Tinnu Anand succeeds in portraying the creep who is keen on having affairs with any woman. 

Rekha gives an amazing performance. Plus its incredible how she hasn't aged a bit.

Most heart breaking scenes:

• ·         When Janki is being sent off to the mental asylum, the public abuses her. She has a miscarriage. The way she cries leaves you fuming.

• ·         Ram Dulaari’s rape scene. Ram Dulaari (who is also a mid wife) was tortured by some of the boys she helped give birth. This scene is extremely disturbing.

• ·         Bulwa’s mother being tortured

The makers of the film should be given a huge round of applause for empowering women and highlighting lame societal norms.

Everyone should watch this film as it teaches us how we sometimes take things for granted, while there are women who are subject to abuse their entire lives and cannot do a thing about it.

Thumbs down: Raghu should have been taught a lesson. Because Vaidehi forgives him, it gives a feel of any other typical Hindi film which thrives on a ‘happy ending’. It was important to show that women don’t need a man in their lives to be happy.

Rajkumar Santoshi (director) could have taken the direction a notch higher and the film would have been almost flawless. The climax, as mentioned, could have been improved. However, Santoshi took on the subject bravely and his efforts should be commended.

Music is impressive. My favorite track is Mujhe Sajan Ke Ghar Jaana Hai.

Put this film in your must watch list – you haven’t done so already.

Have a blessed day bloggers