Aakrosh (1980 film)

Infobox Film
name = Aakrosh


image_size = 200px
caption =
director = Govind Nihalani
producer = NFDC / Devi Dutt
writer = Vijay Tendulkar(Screenplay)
Satyadev Dubey (Dialogue)
story =
dialogue =
starring = Naseeruddin Shah
Smita Patil
Amrish Puri
Om Puri
music = Ajit Verman
lyrics =
cinematography = Govind Nihalani
editing = Keshav Naidu
distributor =
released = 1980
runtime = 144 min
country = IND
language = Hindi
imdb_id = 0080322

Aakrosh (Cry of the Wounded) is a 1980 Hindi art film directed by Govind Nihalani, and written by Vijay Tendulkar. The film starred Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Amrish Puri in lead roles and went to win 1980 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and several Filmfare Awards, plus the 'Golden Peacock' for the Best Film at the International Film Festival of India [ [http://www.geocities.com/curlybraces/movies/hindimovies.htm NFDC films] ] . This was the debut film of the director, who went on be known for his dark yet frighteningly real depiction of the human angst in other films like Ardh Satya (1983), Tamas (1988) [ [http://jang.com.pk/thenews/dec2007-weekly/nos-09-12-2007/enc.htm#2 Govind Nihalani profile] ] . It is also in the list of '60 films that shaped the Indian film industry', spanning six decades [ [http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=d342e02d-b71e-451c-b83e-c04164501f2a&MatchID1=4604&TeamID1=6&TeamID2=7&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1157&MatchID2=4575&TeamID3=8&TeamID4=2&MatchType2=1&SeriesID2=1147&PrimaryID=4604&Headline=Six+decades+of+dynamic+filmmaking+in+India The Hindustan Times, August 10, 2007] ] .

Overview

Based on a true incident, the film was a scathing satire on the corruption in the judicial system, and victimization of the underprivileged by the able and the powerful [ [http://www.filmref.com/directors/dirpages/nihalani.html a study of Aakrosh at filmreference] ] .

The film forms a part of the series of works, based around explorations in violence, written by noted playwright Vijay Tendulkar, who had earlier written Shyam Benegal's , Nishant (1974) and went to write Govind Nihalani's next, Ardh Satya (1983). Here the victim is shown so traumatized by excessive oppression and violation of his humanity, that he does not utter a single word throughout the length of the film and only bears a stunned look [ [http://www.freshnews.in/om-puri-444 Om Puri at freshnews] ] , though later he uses the same violence as a tool, to express his own sense of violation, and rage (Aakrosh) [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/09/02/stories/1302017i.htm Ashis Nandy on Violence in Vijay Tendulkar's works] ] .

Aakrosh and Yagnam

The aggressive act of the Lahanya Biku reflect the climax of Telugu short story Yagnam by Kalipatnam Ramarao. With the changes occurred in post early independence India there was severed economic inequalities. The long run backwardness of Dalits and other communities is paves the road for landlords, police and other exploiing classes. Appalanaidu a character in Yagnam cut the throat of his child by an axe after the verdict delivered by village heads comes against him. In viewing about the future sorrows of his heirs Appalanaidu did that act. In Aakrosh the same act done by Biku as he was thought abou the turmoil futureof his sister.

Awards

* 1980 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi
* 1981 Filmfare Best Director Award: Govind Nihalani
* 1981 Filmfare Best Actor Award: Naseeruddin Shah
* 1981 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award: Om Puri
* 1981 Filmfare Best Screenplay Award: Vijay Tendulkar
* 1981 Filmfare Best Story Award: Vijay Tendulkar
* 1981 Filmfare Best Art Direction Award: C.S. Bhatti [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080322/awards Filmfare Awards] ]

Cast

* Naseeruddin Shah- Bhaskar Kulkarni, Lawyer
* Om Puri - Lahanya Bhiku
* Smita Patil - Nagi Bhiku
* Amrish Puri - Dushane, Public Prosecutor
* Mohan Agashe - Bhonsle
* Mahesh Elkunchwar - Social worker
* Nana Palsikar ... Bhiku's dad

References

External links

*
* [http://parallelcinema.blogspot.com/2005/10/aakroshcry-of-wounded-1980.html An insightful study of the film, Aakrosh]
* [http://roshnai.wordpress.com/2007/11/03/movie-review-aakrosh/ A Movie Review]