Chauranga

Chauranga is a heart-wrenching Indian drama film that critically explores the societal issues of casteism, exploitation and oppression in rural India. This captivating narrative is directed by Bikas Ranjan Mishra. Premiered in 2014, the film gathered appreciation for its unflinching portrayal of inequality and the tyranny of the caste system that dominates the rural landscape in the country. It features an array of talented actors including Sanjay Suri, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Riddhi Sen, and Soham Maitra.

Chauranga is set against the backdrop of a small village in Bihar, India, steeped in age-old traditions and societal hierarchies. Suri plays Dhaval, a powerful landlord from the higher class who exercises his control over the lives of tribal villagers. Chatterjee portrays a widowed tribal woman, Kusum, working as a domestic servant for Dhaval. Maitra and Sen, on the other hand, beautifully play the roles of the woman's children, named Bajrangi and Santu, respectively.

The plot gains momentum when the younger child Santu, an innocent boy with a heartfelt fondness for school, develops affectionate feelings towards Dhaval's daughter. The daring love letter he writes for her sets the stage of this brutally honest tale. Santu's elder brother, Bajrangi, is a rebellious character, equally relatable as his vision is impaired by religious doctrines. He is the only literate person in his family and his struggle with their societal status forms an integral part of the narrative.

Chauranga delves into an honest exploration of the deeply-entrenched caste system in rural India, portraying how it breeds inequality and unfairness. It sheds light on the gruesome reality of the rural landscape; a place where people are not only deprived of fundamental rights but are also harmed for even dreaming about it.

Moreover, Chauranga also focuses on the struggles of the female characters, revealing the plight of women in a male-dominated society. Their lives are indicates as mere objects and possession, wherein they are passed on from one hand to another, without ever having any say in it. The valiant attempt to showcase the harsh realities of rural lives in India is what sets Chauranga apart.

As the story unfolds, various layers of the society are peeled off, thereby portraying the oppressive nature of the caste system. The film, with its grisly ending, serves as a harsh reality check and forces viewers to acknowledge the horrifying caste realities of rural India.

Sanjay Suri and Tannishtha Chatterjee deliver powerful performances, showcasing an astounding depth of emotions. Their portrayals have made an effective contribution in making the characters more human and relatable. Riddhi Sen and Soham Maitra, on the other hand, impressed the audience with their raw performances.

Director Bikas Ranjan Mishra's command over the narrative is commendable. He avoids the temptation of over-dramatizing events or character reactions and instead, allows for the story to unravel in a natural, measured way. Mishra's attention to detail and nuanced storytelling approach breathe life into this tragic tale and leave lasting impacts.

In all, Chauranga is a heart-wrenching and thought-provoking film that opens new horizons for socially relevant cinema in India. It exudes a bleak charm and a gritty realism that is hard to ignore. This movie leaves its audience with an unsettling feeling and a deeper understanding of socio-political realities of rural India. Its rawness and unabashed portrayal of life's brutality take the narrative to an unparalleled level, making it a must-watch for serious cinema lovers.