Mandi

Mandi is a 1983 Hindi film, directed by the legendary award-winning Indian filmmaker, Shyam Benegal. This cinematic masterpiece is set in the backdrop of Hyderabad, striving to articulate the societal perception of morality through the eyes of female sex workers, their lives and struggles. Its narrative hinges on their existence within an enclosed boundary, 'the Mandi' (Marketplace), where they are cynically haggled over and commercially exploited, yet ironically, ignored in the broader context of societal acknowledgment.

The film features an ensemble star cast, which includes the formidable names of Indian Cinema such as the acclaimed Shabana Azmi, the indomitable Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, and Amrish Puri, among others. Their performances elevate the narrative by intensifying the central theme of the story.

The tale unfolds with Rukmini Bai (played by Shabana Azmi), a shrewd and resilient brothel madam. Rukmini Bai reigns over her 'house' with a keen eye for business and a stark guiltless attitude towards the profession she has chosen. She successfully builds a coterie of young women, whose lives are lanterns to deeper stories, dreams, and ambitions.

From among the women, Zeenat (Smita Patil's character) who unveils herself as a women of secret, and with a profound individualistic persona, distinctly stands out. Her commercial exploitation extols the plight of the women in the brothel, putting spotlight on their entrenched helplessness and distress.

Naseeruddin Shah portrays the character of a municipal worker, Tungrus, who forms a critical part of the narrative as he is a frequent visitor to the ‘house’ and shares a complex relationship with the inmates of the brothel. His presence brings humor, yet exposes a darker societal undertone.

The story enriches when the politics of the neighborhood attempts to expel the brothel from the heart of the city due to the so-called embarrassment it brings to the local elite. This leads to their relocation journey to the outskirts and hence, the narrative moves from the bustling alleys of the city to the dreaded lanes of the cremation ground, an intentional metaphor crafted by the director highlighting the inert societal quasi-existence of these women.

The characters in the movie are not just concrete individuals, but rather symbolize different prejudices, societal hypocrisies, moral dilemmas, and essential human aspirations. There is an overflow of human emotions and each character’s complexities are detailed meticulously.

While the narrative traverse through darkness, Mandi also unfolds the lighter and often funny side of life within the brothel, making it more relatable to viewers. Laughter, camaraderie, heartbreaks, tragedies, happiness and hope - Benegal maneuvered a spectrum of sentiments without disregarding the central theme.

The cinematography pulls the audience into the environment and presents an unfiltered picture of an alternate society right under the nose of societal snobbery, with vivid shots, poignant frames and adept angles that capture the essence of Hyderabad's old city in the 1940s.

The music by renowned composer Vanraj Bhatia accentuates the emotional milieu of the movie by creating an immersive atmospheric background score, and further complementing the narrative with traditional tunes corresponding to the distinct theme of the movie.

In essence, Mandi is a must-see film for its nuanced storytelling, outstanding performances, and for its audacious depiction of a culture and its associated moral challenges. Granted, the movie is set in an era that is somewhat distant from ours, but its prompt about societal conformity, taboo, and hypocrisy, persists even today.

The plot density, the stellar performances of the starcast, Shyam Benegal’s unvarnished and bold storytelling, laced with the music of Vanraj Bhatia, Mandi is an essential in the index of Indian art-house cinema. It forms a crucial part of the discourse about the place of sex workers in society and intensifies the conversation about gender, power, dignity and societal morality. The movie is a remarkable piece of Indian cinema symbolizing brilliance, artistry, and substance.