LAKSHMI- Subhash K Jha review Pg. 2

The complex and countless contradictions in our crazy society continue to flummox and confuse us on a daily basis. But the one that gets my goat the most involves that utterly hollow, but immensely popular saying - Ghar ki Lakshmi - while referring to the birth of a girl child or welcoming a bahu.

The truth of the matter is that most times, neither arrival is particularly welcome. It is yet another eye wash - society's way of consoling itself. The irony of naming a girl 'Lakshmi' was therefore playing on my mind during a private screening of producer-director-actor Nagesh Kukunoor's scorching 'Lakshmi', a dark and troubling film about the sex trafficking of children. After the longest time, a movie pained me enough to give me a couple of restless, sleepless nights.

By now, we all know the movie is loosely based on a true story of a 13-year-old girl from a village in Andhra Pradesh who was sold to a brothel by her alcoholic father. It is a savage story, savagely told. So savagely told, in fact, that I could watch just 70 per cent of what was being projected in the darkened theatre, without throwing up or rushing out of the screening, unable to take any more of the relentless, stomach churning and exceedingly graphic brutality on screen. And I thought to myself, it must have been a really tough call to take for both Kukunoor (an outstanding performance by the director himself playing the role of Chinna, the sadistic pimp), and his producer/long time associate Elahe Hiptoola.

I am certain they must have debated long and hard and asked themselves this single, very important question: When does explicitly depicted screen violence actually go from being realistic...to gratuitous? When does the audience feel, "Oh dear God! I know this must have taken place the way it is being shown... but do I have the stomach for it?"

The story of Lakshmi (sensitively played by the multi-talented Monali Thakur), is so terrifying, it makes your skin crawl. Just the expression in the underage Lakshmi's stricken eyes the first time she is hood-winked and raped by brothel owner Reddy (what a performance by Satish Kaushik), is enough to shake up the audience and instantly connect to her abject, helpless state.

Since this is the first of several rapes to follow, I found myself unable to keep up with the beatings, bruises, cries, screams, abuses and tears, as Lakshmi struggles to survive, frequently running away from her hell (a filthy, over crowded bordello crammed with sex workers of varied sizes and hues), only to be caught and thrashed by Chinna...and dragged back to service multiple clients.

Some of these encounters are shot in gory close-ups. There is one particularly disturbing scene after she has been badly scarred by the beastly Chinna yet forced to entertain one man after another in her half dead state. I confess my eyes were shut during this one. Yes, of course, these are the naked realities of life. And the issue of sex trafficking of children has to be squarely addressed.

There are countless trapped Lakshmis across India (and the world), forced to endure the most inhuman treatment imaginable, with society averting its eyes and doing nothing. And, yes, the 'message' of Kukunoor's film is far more important than the brutality of its content. It is also evident that the film has been made with a great deal of commitment and concern, with the sincere objective of raising awareness and jolting society. I got the message loud and clear.

Cinema with a social purpose must be acknowledged, encouraged and applauded. Kukunoor and his brilliant ensemble cast (the gloriously sensual Flora Saini, and the superbly controlled Shefali Shah), make this a must watch, meaningful movie, powerful enough to shake us out of our complacent rut. 'Lakshmi' opens on March 21, and it will be interesting to monitor audience response to it.

'Mandi' shot in the 1983 with an equally superb cast (Shabana Azmi as a blousy, bossy madam, Smita Patil as a reluctant sex worker) remains a classic. It was Shyam Benegal's most impactful statement on the tragic lives of prostitutes. Coincidentally, 'Mandi' also had an Andhra setting. I have watched the film several times. With my eyes and ears wide open. Without wanting to throw up. I guess I have a weaker stomach now!

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