A Controversial movie
By Aparna Sen
@Dreamerby (5153)
Calcutta, India
November 19, 2024 8:17am CST
Directed by the famous actor and director,Raj Kapoor (who is actually really famous in Russia), Satyam Shivam Sundaram is a timeless movie kaleidoscoping societal and philosophical views. You have to understand that this movie was released in 1978 and India back in 1978 was really conservative. So film critics often say that this movie was a rare artistic experimentation with Zeenat Aman's(the female lead) show of skin 'cause she was the first female lead to do so. Back then, it was the hot talk and garnered a lot of attention. Raj Kapoor even said in an interview that the audience might turn up for the controversial show of skin part but they will go back home remembering the subtle film.
This movie throws shade on the perception of beauty and sublimity. Rupa (female lead), a village girl, born in a poor Brahmin Pandit house, lost her mother the moment she was born. Her mother died right after giving birth to her and from then on she has been called 'the cursed child' by the villagers. Her birthday falls on the same day as her mom's death day so her father never celebrates her birthday. But on one such birthday, her uncle decides to celebrate it. An accident happens. The pot of boiling oil burns the right side of her face and neck.
From then on she starts living a miserable and secluded life as all the villagers add salt to her wounds by saying that no man will ever marry her. She always hides the right side of her disfigured face with a scarf.
Despite all this, she is gifted with a beautiful voice and sings devotional songs every morning while cleaning the temple.
And then comes Rajeev, the engineer, to oversee the construction of the dam in the village. He falls in love with her voice but never sees the whole of her face. Whenever they meet, he could only see half of her face that too in the darkness of the night. One thing leads to the other. They end up kissing. Rajeev wants to make love to Rupa but she denies saying that it can only happen after marriage which she says will never happen in her life as she is cursed. She leaves crying.
The next day, Rajeev asks Rupa's hand for marriage from her father. They get married and on the wedding night, when he sees her full face, he firmly believes that she is not his Rupa and asks her to go back to her father's house which she denies saying that she will live a secluded life and he doesn't have to live with her in the same room.
Rajeev goes searching for Rupa in the forest where they used to meet. Little does he know that his own wife appears as Rupa there. Days pass by with Rajeev meeting Rupa in the forest and making love to her in the darkness of the night and ignoring his wife at home during the day.
Rupa gets pregnant.
Rajeev thinks his wife slept with another man because of his misconception that Rupa and his wife are two different people. He insults her and her father and out of agony her father dies.
On the same night, there's a tumultuous storm and the dam overflows leading to a flood. The villagers are asked to vacate the village for safety. There, he finally hears his wife singing. Truth dawns upon him. He realizes his mistake and begs for her forgiveness. Rajeev and Rupa cling to the tip of the Shiva temple in the inundated village. Towards the end of the movie, when the flood waters recede, Rajeev says Rupa is the most beautiful woman on earth in his eyes.
If anyone wants to watch this movie, its on Amazon Prime-'Satyam Shivam Sundaram' which means 'Truth Shiva and Beauty'.
Have you seen this movie?
Do you know Raj Kapoor?
Have you watched any Bollywood movie?
4 people like this
7 responses
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32697)
• Calgary, Alberta
19 Nov
Imagine this was considered controversial back then when we now have themes like cheating, incest and other taboos normalized in movies these days. If we will go on Indian movies, This is also tame compared to what we have now.
2 people like this
@Dreamerby (5153)
• Calcutta, India
19 Nov
Yeah. This would have been rated U by the censorship board now
@aureategloom (9559)
• Bosnia And Herzegovina
22h
that kind of skin showing went so unnoticeable hahah i had to look back at the photo
the plot sound interesting, but no need to watch it now when i know everything maybe only for the singing part
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (180737)
• United States
19 Nov
Sounds like an intricate plot,Thanks for the review.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (5153)
• Calcutta, India
19 Nov
Yeah it sheds light on societal norms. Also India back in 1970s was very different from what its now.
@xFiacre (13020)
• Ireland
19 Nov
@Dreamerby I haven't seen this one. I'm obviously limited to Indian films made in English or with subtitles. Recently I've re-watched one of my favourites, 36 Chowringhee Lane which I first saw in Paris in 1986. Charulata is another of my favourites.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178701)
• United States
20 Nov
Thank you for the review. I've never seen a Bollywood movie. Have a great day.
1 person likes this