Matrubhoomi(2003)

Cast: Pankaj Jha,Piyush Mishra,Tulip Joshi

Language:Hindi

Running Time: 89 mins

Director:Manish Jha

Censor Certificate: A

Genre: Drama

Plot: A woman, attended by two midwives, is giving birth in a small village in India. When the child's cry rings, the father bangs on a steel plate to attract the attention of all the villagers, who assemble, eager to hear the good news. But when the midwife announces that the child is a daughter, the banging stops, followed by a stunned silence. Shortly thereafter the father takes the baby and drowns it in a Calderon of milk. This practice continues on and as a result, many years later there are men and boys everywhere and no women. A widowed man, Ramsharan, ponders his plight and that of his two grown son, who he is unable to get married. No marriage has taken in this village for 15 years, save for one, which was annulled as the young 14-year old bride turned out to be a 14 year old boy. But there is hope when a friend informs Ramsharan that he has located a bride for his eldest, a beautiful young woman named Kalki, who lives nearby, sheltered by her father. Ramsharan pays a substantial dowry for Kalki and gets her married to his eldest - or so he hopes - for every male in the village, including his younger son, Sooraj, and he himself wants a piece of Kalki - for himself - and are willing to do anything to satiate their non-existent sex-life.

My Review:The title of the movie "Matrubhoomi:A nation without women" explains the hypothetical plot behind it.Director Manish Jha has made an India specific movie.The nation where the sex ratio is declining,where females are almost 20% less than males will have to face the catastrophic fate as shown in this movie.The village shown in the movie has no girl.The desperation of village men,their plight is shown quite realistic.The money is no more a commodity.Having girl child means you are a millionaire.There is one girl in the neighbouring village whom no one has seen as her father has kept her confined to the house throughout her childhood to save her from the vultures & wolves around.He locks the door from outside when out.The priest of the village accidentally sees her & then starts the negotiations of boy's parents with girl's father.What follows is something which might give goosebumps to many.At times while watching the movie you actually feel the need to go out & educate those idiots who wish for the boy child.The animal instinct in men comes out when the desperation crosses threshold till the point that riots start in the village to take charge of the only woman alive. The only negative aspect of the movie are the repeatative scenes.

In all a brave effort.A must see.I just wish rest of the world don't misjudge India after watching this movie.

My Ratings:3/5