Movie: Anaahat
Language: Marathi
Venue: India Habitat Center
Date: 27th February 2015

We recently watched Amol Palekar’s Marathi film Anaahat at IHC. Based on a Hindi play by Surrender Verma, Amol Palekar (who was present during the screening) prepared a screenplay. The plot is based on the experiences of a king and queen in a 10th-century Indian kingdom. The king has born no heir and agrees to subject his wife to the seeding process. Whereby she mates with another man to conceive through the custom of Niyoga.

While the queen is ordered to merely produce an heir through the prevalent custom of Niyoga, she ends up enjoying the physical pleasure that she attains during the act. Her wish to repeat the act complicates things between her and the king.

Amol Palekar during a discussion post-screening of Anaahat at IHC, Delhi

Director Amol Palekar has handled this complex story beautifully. Without making any of the protagonists negative, he concludes the movie on a very positive note that sums up their relationship which is based on love and their common interest in music rather than sex and intimacy.

Amol Palekar during a discussion post-screening of Anaahat at IHC, Delhi

Sonali Bendre is far better than her insignificant Bollywood roles. She managed to look stunningly sensuous and has acted well. Anant Nag as an impotent king was very impressive. Deepti Naval also played her part of the chief maid convincingly.

Though the film is about female sexuality and is based in the 10th century, a person of any sex can relate to it, and is very relevant in the current day and age too.

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