Where had you been?
Is this train going to Kolkata? - Yes, sit.
Hey, brother. - There is no guarantee about the train.
It goes whenever it wants.
Split up. - Yes. - I am going this way and you go that way.
Yes, hurry
Where's she? No sight of her
There. - Over here, quick
Get off the train. - I'm not coming
Won't you? Come on
Why are you forcing her? Why are you taking her perforce?
Leave me go!
Let me go.
Why are you taking me by force.
let me go!
Stop.
Wanton woman! She's tainted. My doors are shut for her, forever
Throw her out. - Yes, throw her out
Didn't get her lover? Who was with her?
There was no one else. - Must've been around
Young and whiskered! - We forgot to pick up that one
But no one told us
I say, convene the council
Let the council decide how such a woman is to be punished
Take her out of my sight
Take her away from me.
Yes, only the council. - Yes, let the council be convened
Bodhan Mahto is right here. - Why not convene it tomorrow?
No, not tomorrow. Today. - Yes, today itself
Bisram Chaudhari won't even let his daughter-in-law enter his household
We must decide this woman's fate at the soonest
The council will meet after sundown. Till then, she stays here
In the open. Yes Chaudhari? Is that acceptable?
Where's my wife's jewelry? The money, the gold coins, where?
Tell me! Bitch! Where are they?
Cur! Lecher!
Don't you dare touch me ever again, I'll eat you alive
Shut up
Look at the attitude! How shameless, undignified
The bloody trucker has decamped with the money and the gold
And he raped her
Silly greenhorns! Didn't even think of taking the trucker
The sight of young flesh drives them nuts
Girls nowadays won't wait! As soon as they're born..
..they want lovers! Age of sin
How long have you been seeing the driver?
Where did you hide him in the daytimes?
The trucker... he hasn't come? - Sprained his wrist
Needs a massage. Cook up a balm of turmeric paste in warm oil
Hello. - Hello Bimli, how are you?
Fine, how are you?
Miserable. Give that to me. - Let me do it
Careful
Why are you moaning. It hurts? - Let it hurt
When you are massaging, even pain is a pleasure
Come on, lunch is ready. - Fix my arm first
You'll be fine, just take a bath in warm water
Why not buy a balm from town? Relieves pain in no time
Really?
More effective than your massage?
If my arm doesn't improve, will you feed me?
Enough. Get up, lunch is getting cold
You cook lovely chicken, Bimli. For a vegetarian...
how do you cook up such lovely chicken?
It can't be only spice. I'm sure you add something else
Yes?
What's the spice?
Tell me, what you mix. I'd like to know
You have a way with words
For you. - What's that?
Open it up when you're home. - Don't bring anything for me
My Mai gets annoyed. - How will she get to know?
This is for wearing inside
Get lost
Telling Mummy everything, is asking for trouble
Now eat and get lost. I got to serve the other boarders
Tell me, when are you coming with me to Jharia-Dhanbad?
This time, I'm not going without you
Heard that?
Tell me, when are you coming with me to Jharia-Dhanbad?
What are you doing? - I fancied doing this forever
Have had your fancy? Don't ever do it again
Are truckers ever given a wish?
Why the shoe there? Is it crowded up front?
That's no shoe. It's meant to ward off a rival's jealousy
And to keep Uncle from heckling you
Don't get Uncle?
Policemen
So there's a shoe at your door? - No, but why?
So that none eyes your wife?
How about giving me a wife? To go about warding off the evil eye
How am I to find for you?
You tell Mai everything, no?
Ask your Mai
''From red lips, oozing..''
''..syrup, like sweet juices flowing..''
''..from a ripe mango.''
Come on.
When are you coming with me to Jharia-Dhanbad?
This time, I'm not going without you
The council is convened
Speak up Bisram Chaudhari, what is the matter?
Elders. The girl appearing before the council..
..is my daughter-in-law. My misfortune.
My son, her husband is away.
I was in no hurry to bring her home
But what I heard of Bimli made me sick.
I thought if she will leaves her parents' home..
..everything would be fine.
So... I brought her home.
Then began the differences, the blame game..
..and my neighbors said, I am the wrongdoer.
You must've heard..
In deference to your wishes, I built a separate hut for myself
That's where I went wrong.
Out of sight, out of control
This wasn't the first time that she ran away with that truck driver
She robbed me of my wife's jewellery but I don't care
God willing.. I'll buy gold again.
But she has disgraced me
And she has given our village a bad name.
I pray...may never the name of the village be tainted.
Punish her, sternly
If I am in the wrong, not to spare me either
Yes my mistake, that I kept to religious and rituals
I couldn't keep an eye on my daughter-in-law
But I'm alive because of my faith, this I shall tell you.
Else my charred corpse would've been lying right here
Bimli, get up
Are you dead?
Dead no sooner than she hits the bed. Want me to send you to your funeral?
Up
Bimli, you aren't going to work?
Everyone in the village was against us when we sent Bimli to the kiln
Said, the kiln is a den of thieves. And today?
Half the women in the village work the kilns
Little did we know that our son would end up slaving for his wife
Have it.
Here take it.
Come, come, come.
Make sure you buy lamp oil.
All right
And tobacco for your father. - Okay
Come.
So what if our son has abandoned us? Our Bimli is like a son to us
Eight years she has been working.
Started working the kiln when she was ten.
And ten years since she got married
Still seems like yesterday. Our lovely little doll, Bimli
What did we have? Not even a bed without legs
And cracked pots and pans.
And slowly...Bimli put together a household.
And today...? Beds and mattresses for each of us.
Even the clothes we wear
We can even afford our tea and tobacco
We'll always afford that. Take my word
But her father-in-law has written, he wants to take her away
I've been putting him off, but one day, she must leave. Then?
Why worry? God is caring
Are you listless?
The girl in red isn't to be seen? - Who cares? Mind your business
Look, there she comes
Now you find time to arrive? It's ten by the watch
Never watched the watch? - I get paid piecemeal
What's breaking your heart?
Find yourself a sister to teach about the watch
I'm leaving early. I got to go to the marketplace
Bimli teases you, doesn't she? Wicked, isn't she?
She brings the light into a day in the kiln
So much affection is no good. Daughters belong to strangers
I know, but... - Come and see me
I want to start another kiln. - Sure
And send Bimli to me. I got some business with her
The overseer is crazy about Bimli. Doesn't even mind being mocked at
He's no woman's man. The first wife eloped with someone else
For the last 3 years, he has been after the women here
Bimli isn't silly. Will she ever marry this old dot?
But he is after Bimli and no one else
But Bimli has her eyes on Babu, the truck driver
Hey Bimli
Give it to me. What's the matter?
The driver hasn't been here for some time...?
He misses the driver? - Won't he miss his sister's husband?
Listen, the boss wants to see you. The truck driver is coming
Yes Bimli, the trucker will be here by tomorrow afternoon
He's coming after a long time.
Will you cook something nice? He is coming after many days.
Won't you do it?
Wait...
Accountant, buy enough for a meal for three. I'm eating too
Been long since I ate Bimli's dishes. What will you cook?
Chicken. He loves it. Can I go now?
Bimli was a baby when she took up cooking for the kiln.
How many years?
She whiles away the whole day cooking and flirting
Saves the effort of lugging bricks. And she gets paid 5 Rupees extra
Who wouldn't do that? - But she cooks well too
Else, what trucker would risk picking up coal...
without paying the miners? - Good cook or bad...
take Bimli off the cooking detail and see whether the trucker stays on
Don't I know that? The trucker and the overseer
If they're sticking around for years, it's all because of her
And the tractor-driver! Calls Bimli ''the kiln's headlight''
Watch it. Are you blind?
Off so early, Mrs. Driver? - Your tongue is wagging
I am Mrs. Driver? - You don't think of your kinsmen
It's a stranger's truck that you fall for?
Why are you jealous?
You know, the boss has promoted me from cleaner to tractor-driver
You know, the tractor is many times more powerful than the truck
Say, how about getting rammed to find out?
Don't boast Billar
For the king of beggars, make do with little
Whether you like me or not, girl, I've fallen for you
I am crazy about you.
I will make do with little.
All dolled up again? I've told you...
I can't stand overdressed girls. - Then blind yourself
If she's overdressed it's because of the trucker
Don't talk too much. - Not to get angry, brother
Bimli is the kiln's headlight! Dazzles everyone
Grandson of a gun
Excuse me Khan sahib, I'm late already
Today is first full moon after the winter solstice
I must take the ritual bath. Then, the prayers and the feast
And everyone wants to go to the fair. - All right, but remember...
you must escort single girls home. - Rest assured, Khan sahib
My responsibility. - Well said
Kuisa... - Yes?
Are you carrying the earring?
Now don't get annoyed. Go on, go to the fair
Come on.
You mustn't have mentioned earrings. Drives the overseer mad
Accountant, you were mischief-maker. - Really?
Ask the accountant. He was the satan. Tell them.
Come, come.
It all began like a joke. The overseer came here full of beans
The boss fanned his fires. No dearth of women here
Why one, you can find ten wives. And Kuisa kept an earring...
and he'd showed it to all the girls, saying it's for the woman he marries
So we thought, let's see how deep the waters run
So we fixed a girl and they married at the fair on the sly
And Kuisa goes home with his wife, a happy man
Happy, because he had found a wife
There was a river to ford. And Kuisa's wife followed him
When he stepped into the river, he must've been dreaming
And as he treaded the water carefully.
And in the meantime what happened is..
Ever since, Kuisa has been touchy about earrings.
''Such a lovely day.''
''My mind is so happy.''
''Such a lovely day.''
''My mind is so happy.''
''Such a lovely day.''
''Let me dress up and go to the fair today.''
''Will meet my beloved there.''
''Let me dress up and go to the fair today.''
''Will meet my beloved there.''
''If our eyes meet.. maybe..''
''If our eyes meet.. maybe.. on the path of life..''
''On the path of life..''
''Perfumed like sandalwood.''
''Such a lovely day.''
''My mind is so happy.''
''Such a lovely day.''
''Someone is staring.''
''Someone is smiling.''
''Someone is staring.''
''Someone is smiling.''
''Someone shakes her anklets.''
''And someone shakes her bracelets.''
''Shakes her bracelets.''
''Such a lovely day.''
''My mind is so happy.''
''Such a lovely day.''
''The pot of water is overflowing in this weather.''
''The fragrance of flowers is spread all over.''
''The pot of water is overflowing in this weather.''
''The fragrance of flowers is spread all over.''
''My heart is restless.''
''My heart is restless, like a bee.''
''Like a bee.''
''It is buzzing now.''
''Such a lovely day.''
''My mind is so happy.''
''Such a lovely day.''
''My mind is so happy.''
''Such a lovely day.''
''My mind is so happy.''
''Such a lovely day.''
''My mind is so happy.''
Come on be quickly.
Come. Balloons. You want one, Bimli? - Forget it
Give me one.
The wheel! Come on. - I'm not sitting on the wheel
You don't sit on the wheel, Kuisa, not you. You'll fall. - Shut up
Look! How it spins. - Round and round the pulley.
Lovely! How much for? - You're looking like a bear
Bimli, take it. I'm paying for it. - No, no
How about sweets? - Bimli, want to eat sweets?
Champa, what about you?
Go on, weigh out some
Yes, give that. Here Bimli, eat. It's steaming
More... for you Champa
Eat, it's all for you
Steaming hot, no?
Nice, no? - Try the hard, crisp ones
The food is warm. Eat. - Yes
Bimli, some more? Eat
Sweets? - Over there
There. - More, more.
Go on, have some more. - Enough... stop.
Am I to eat so much?
I'm going to get tattooed
Butterfly, bird or rose? - Tattoo my husband's name
What's your husband's name? - If I'm Sita, who's my husband?
Sita-Ram?
You were married when you were a baby. Do you remember anything?
I don't remember getting married..
.. But once at a fair with my mother...
I saw him. I remember that
Sister! How are you? - Fine, how are you?
Fine. Bimli look. He's the one you married
Want to go away with him? - No
Bye
Tattooed in for life
So what?
Come.
It was fun. - Go on, I'll go home
What if something happens to you? - As if the goons are waiting?
Goons will crop up wherever you go. Any dearth of goons after you?
And won't I break the goon's legs?
Hey Billar! Feeling horny? Lay off! - Let's walk like this for a while
Lay off
The driver smells nice and I smell foul?
Billar, mind your tongue. Neither you nor the driver is my husband
Now don't get testy. A nice boy like you doesn't behave like this
Eyes speak what tongues don't
Hello Uncle
Now you return?
If you dare step out of the house, I'll break your legs
At the fair! Till so late at night? - Just getting her arm tattooed
Are you worked up because she's late?
How will you ever send her away?
Sending her away is my headache. How are you concerned? Go in
I just said it for your own good. How am I concerned? Goodbye
Ma, you sleep with me tonight. - Silly
Staying out so late is no good.
I hear some driver is after you?
Don't you accept any gifts
There, passes out as soon as she's in bed
Hello Bimli's Father. - Hello... yes brother?
I work at the kiln, I'm a driver. Same place where Bimli works
Yes, I've heard. Come, sit
How's business? - Going on
I got this for you. Tobacco. Bundle of beedies, and this
Was all this needed? - Keep it
Our Bimli cooks for you. She cooks properly?
At cooking, Bimli is an expert. But what use? Who gets to eat?
What a wedding you gave her.
10 years and yet no sign of her father-in-law
True, but what can I do? - Just as well that Bimli is busy
Works hard, makes good money too. - All thanks to you
Oh no... - Thanks be, we have two square meals
Once the daughter is grown up, she should be sent away
True, Mr. Driver. I'm worried too. - Then why not find a nice family?
Why not give Bimli away? Poor thing, how long will she wait...
for a careless husband? - If that's fate, what can we do?
What else? Give her away. - Yes, Kuisa the overseer came...
asking for Bimli's hand. But the man is quite aged
How can I give Bimli away to him? Can you suggest a suitable boy?
There are so many, I was about to suggest...
Let me call Bimli's mother. Listen Suguna...
What's the hurry? Next time when I come, say next week...
maybe sooner if I can make it. Then I'll talk about the boy
I'll get nice tobacco from the town. And the booze, English
Bye
Give everybody my regards. - Yes, yes
I'll pay you, I told you so. Am I running away?
I'm running such a big kiln. Can I get away without paying you?
Khan sahib, I've been hearing that lecture for the past 6 months
You owe me 3 trips. How long can someone give you credit?
The miner refused to give the coal. I said it's my responsibility
I expected you'd pay up. - Giving coal on credit is no favour
Everyone gives. - What...?
This is business. - Then get it from someone else
Settle my account. I don't want to be harassed
Oh yes, I'll pay you off. Don't pick my brains. Dues and dues!
I can settle your dues provided people who owe me, settle
Look, I don't know all this. I'll see you before leaving
You settle my account. Period
Hello! - Hello, am I late?
I was wondering whether you went home after the bath in the river
Isn't this trip a bit too soon? - Maybe someone draws me
Eat your food
Keep this. - What's this?
Dress. Saree, blouse, petticoat. - Why do you bring these things?
What for? - Left for you to make out
I can make out, that's why I'm saying
Ours is just a friendship. Not about give and take
For me, I'd rather accept what I can repay easily. Keep it...
for your wife
At times you behave like a nag. But get this from me...
this is my memento. Do you realise what it means to refuse a memento?
You take me for a fool? I know what you're getting at
Anyway..
..you had an argument with Khan sahib before unloading the coal?
In time to pay up, Khan always turns pale.
Wants to extract the maximum
How long can someone take bad debts?
He organises nice meals for you
Chicken, fish... - The kiln runs on chicken and fish?
Or coal?
The truth is I come all the way to see you.
And I end up bringing in...
..coal worth 10,000-15,000. And Khan has figured it out
So he's taking me for a ride. - For my sake? Why? Who am I to you?
We'll see each other only so long as we're in this kiln.
Afterwards you go your way and I go mine
So much affection is no good. Eat that
Don't say it so heartlessly
I'll see your father soon. - Why?
Got to ask for something. - What?
You
I've seen girls and girls, in Bengal, Bihar, U.P...
but you're one-of-a-kind. - Why, what's about me?
You're so close and yet so far. Anyway, keep it
No, Mr. Driver, keep it to yourself
Fine
What's up, Bimli? You look troubled?
Only a few smiles and words and men start imagining
What happened? - How trying it's for me...
to preserve what is his, little does my husband-in-Kolkata know
So many men are eyeing me, no one cares to see how difficult it is
That wedding happened ten years ago when you were only so little
And there's been no sign of him all these years. The driver loves you
I've seen him
Hello Bimli's father. Is Bimli's mother in?
Hello Ramkali, how are you? - I'm fine
She's inside. Go in
Welcome Ramkali, sit. Where have you been?
I'm here to see you. - Me...?
Yes. How's Bimli? - She's fine
Fine? I hear it's been 3 years since her husband has been home.
Isn't he away in Kolkata? And he has even stopped...
sending money home to his father? - Yes, but I'm praying for the best
What use is a man who won't care for his father and his wife?
He might have even married a Bengali girl in Kolkata
Even if he takes Bimli to Kolkata, what will he feed her?
He's a day-labourer, worthless job. And with Bimli gone...
who will look after you? - God above is watching
He will give us succour. - Are you silly?
We ought to look out for ourselves. Just do as I say
Bimli is no a young girl. Forget that wedding, it was child's play
Get her married to one of the village boys. Someone...
who's willing to live with you. - But...
Not to worry. Give her away to my little brother, Billar
He's a tractor driver, he earns. What a lovely match it'd be
He'll build a house for himself right here, in this village
They'll be here, right in front of your eyes. And if need be...
Billar will even foot the damages for the divorce
And keep this.
Bimli's father has a liking for the good things in life
Here you are, a pack of tobacco. All of half a kilo. And two pipes
And here... a bottle of booze. Give me a reply tomorrow. Bye
What Ramkali says is worth considering. But Bimli is married
What if the council disapproves? - Billar is willing to pay damages
Why didn't we think of it before?
But Bimli is yet to agree. - Why do we have to ask Bimli?
Doesn't even remember her husband from that baby-wedding
You've married me off already. Why give me away to someone else?
Been 8 years since the boy turned up. We don't even know where he is
He's alive, isn't he? Write to him. Won't he come if he is needed?
Billar is a boy we know. He belongs to our village, earns well too
Is my husband a cripple? - May not be. But I hear...
he doesn't have a proper job, doesn't send money home either
Might be earning only enough to feed himself
What will he feed you? How will he make you happy?
Why today? Why didn't you think of it before? I was just a baby
Did you have to tie me to someone? - What's wrong about thinking now?
You might, if he was flawed.
Making less money doesn't make someone bad
And whom did you give me away to? The man or the money?
All a man need do is work hard and he can make a living
Tomorrow if some landlord comes by..
..will you ask me to go to his house?
So the token is from Billar's sister?
.. What do you take your daughter for?
A whore for a tenner's worth of tobacco? How did you think of it?
I'm someone's wife. How can you give me away to someone else?
What do you think I am? Cattle? - Shut up. Don't scream. Whore
Welcome, is everything all right?
You haven't visited for quite a while
Was busy. Where's my daughter-in-law?
At work. She'll be home by sundown
Time you sent her to us. - Is Sitaram back from Kolkata?
No, he's still there. But I get to hear things about Bimli
I won't tolerate my son's wife getting a bad name
I was always against her working amongst men
No, must be false rumour. Please sit. Our Bimli isn't like that
Who knows?
I hear my daughter-in-law goes dancing on tractors, to fairs...
in the company of men who buy sweets for her..
..and she returns at midnight
Is my daughter-in-law common vessel to be used for cooking by anyone?
I don't want our name tainted. - Let Sitaram returns. I'll send her
Try to understand, being evasive isn't honourable
Paddy can't be stored once cooked into rice. It will start rotting
Once the girl is grown up, you send her to her in-laws
Keep your dignity intact. Irrespective of when Sitaram returns...
I'm taking her away. I'll come next week. Same time
Where is your wife? - She should be here. Stay on
Never mind. Get ready for the send-off. See you
No, you must eat before you leave. - No, I left work behind
Just remember, next week, same day, same time
From the kiln owner
From the driver. He also gave 51 Rupees
11 Rupees from Mr. Pandey
''The eyes are crying and there is no peace for the heart.''
''Have to leave my house.''
''I can't live without them.''
''Mother, don't send me away.''
''The eyes are crying and there is no peace for the heart.''
''Have to leave my house.''
''Why did you let me go?''
''Why did you open the cage and let this bird free?''
''Why did you let me go?''
''Why did you open the cage and let this bird free?''
''You let me go whenever you wished.''
''No one thought about me.''
''The eyes are crying and there is no peace for the heart.''
''Have to leave my house.''
''I can't live without them.''
''Mother, don't send me away.''
''I have spent my beautiful childhood here.''
''I have very old relations with this place.''
''I have spent my beautiful childhood here.''
''I have very old relations with this place.''
''How can I forget my old loving friends?''
''Take my palanquin back. Please return.''
''The eyes are crying and there is no peace for the heart.''
''Have to leave my house.''
''I can't live without them.''
''Mother, don't send me away.''
''The eyes are crying and there is no peace for the heart.''
''Have to leave my house.''
Now this is your home. Make yourself happy
Don't worry about anything. If you need anything, tell me
You needn't be too shy of me. All we have here are the two of us
We got to take care of each other, yes?
You won't talk to me? - No... I mean yes, why not?
I've got a headache and my whole body is aching. Heat some oil for me
Use this. It'll give you relief fast.
I don't know what it is. Why don't you massage it?
Sit here
So comfortable.
You massage well
On my chest too
I am going out, I'll be back in a while.
You need something?
New lantern, you can turn the light up and down, at will
No need for the oilcan anymore
Listen, I bought chicken and fish
Let's have a nice dinner. - I don't eat flesh
Eat it, find out what fun it is. Why pine for it all your life?
Get my bag. Someday I'll make you eat.
Then you'll ask for more, everyday
Get me a glass
Lay this out on a dish
Who'll bring water?
Sit... sit here
Water. Take
Come here
Sit beside me
I told you, you needn't be shy of me, Come on, sit
Look Bimli, here you are and I am the master of this house
You will do as I say
Come and sit with me. - Father, don't ask this of me
I'm like your daughter and you're my husband's father, my father too
I beg of you, send me home. I'll come gladly when he returns
You are a bride in this family and this is where you stay
Water
Come. Come Mansuriya's mother.
Any news? - The bride won't speak
She's a mute. But her eyes speak, she only stares
And the look on her face, as if she's being taken for slaughter
And Bisram is putting on such airs! Expensive dresses and that strut
Sent his sister away two days before..
..the daughter-in-law arrived. Why?
Don't we know Bisram? Remember what he did to Saraswati? Rogue
Is his son returning or not? - Who knows? Fought with his father
But it's his bride who came home. Why isn't he here?
Bisram's intentions...
are rotten. - This is simmering fire
How long can we keep watching? - You aren't seeing this...
for the first time. Now Bisram is a vicious guy
We can't accuse him right away. But what are the men doing?
Write to your son, call him over. Rumours are rife in the village
What rumours?
With or without her husband, woman's only concern is her maintenance
I can afford four women like her
Passers-by don't see you sleeping out.
Too many jackals in the area nowadays?
Didn't you hear they are making off with the goats..
..sometimes even a child?
Of recent they snatched a six-year old child away.
You want me to sleep out. Do you?
But with a woman sleeping inside...
Been sleeping inside for 20 years! - Now it's different. All night...
in the same room as your son's wife? If your son isn't coming...
you should build another hut for yourself. Even when we come here...
we got to sit outside. - The gossips are talking
Even I've been thinking of it. Very soon, I'm bringing my son back
I'm planning for another hut too. Now the sugarcane crop is ready
Very soon now...
And I don't like being castigated in public. You men should think too
I have my dignity too.
I'm an elder in the council. You should think...
before saying such unbecoming things.
We aren't saying. But how do we...
keep folks from talking? The whole village is talking about...
Bisram's nefarious deeds and how your son will break your bones
The whole world wants to screw that someone else. Get that?
Must I tear open my bosom in order to earn your trust?
Saying goes, think before talking..
..like you strain water before drinking
Every man has a dignity.
Excuse me, I got a buffalo to look after
There he goes.
What happened? - Glass shards! Strewn all over
Cursed fellow! Drinks too much
New bride in the village, I would've come to see you before
If only you had a mother-in-law, but she's no more
Is everything all right? - Yes Aunt, everything's fine
You're all alone. So it's my duty to come asking about you
Your husband Sitaram respected me. Any news of him?
No, but he'll be back soon. - Any letters?
No, but his father says he'll come. - Very well. But if you wish...
I can send a letter on your behalf.
I know the letter-writer very well
Great! I'll send a letter to my father too
My father's address and the Kolkata address
Will you send the letter right away?
Of course, why not? What do you want written?
Tell my father to take me back as soon as he can...
until such time that my husband returns
And write to Kolkata saying I'm here..
..and he should come as soon as he can
Why? Is Bisram harassing you?
Why don't you answer? - Nothing like that
But I don't like staying here while my husband is away
I ought to be with my husband, no?
True. I've been perplexed, you know
Now that you're here, why isn't your husband here?
Well all right, I'll have the letters sent right away
They'll be delivered in 4-5 days. Give me money for two postcards
Here it is. - See you.
Sacred virgin! You are fussy only at home.
Didn't you romance that driver?
His hooch smelt nice? Mine stinks? Bitch sniggers!
Those dresses, that jewellery, your cripple father paid for them?
Sold his daughter, and now you...?
Tell me the truth... the truth
Wasn't your father palming you off to Kuisa, the overseer, for 2000?
You swear he didn't?
Am I blind? Am I deaf? Am I ignorant?
Goes to fairs, eats sweets! Goes travelling to Jharia, Dhanbad
And while you go picnicking Bisram pawns his lands?
Even talking to me is sin? How ladylike! That's the excuse, no?
Bitch
You'll attack me? Got the guts?
Don't you dare touch me
What? Are you threatening me?
Come on, stab me. Let's see if you got guts
Come on, why don't you stab me?
Hey overseer! Stop! - No Khan sahib, don't stop me
I'm not working anymore. I'm going on a pilgrimage
If I feel like it, I may come back in a year or two.
But don't wait for me
Listen...
But why? I'm giving you a raise. You've been around for 4 years
Have you ever had any problems? This year, I'll make sure...
you're married, come what may. - Enough, Khan sahib
Please don't stop me now. I must overcome illusions
Who knows what life holds? Farewell
The driver left. Now he leaves. How do I run the kiln?
Bimli my child...
this is your father-in-law. Open up, my child
Will you make me a glass of tea?
Your father loved your tea, I hear
Bring it here. I'll wait outside. - No, come inside
I'm ashamed... much ashamed
But if you won't forgive me, I won't even find a place in hell
I think the marijuana was laced with some kind of aphrodisiac
For a whole week I've had such sinful thoughts...
and now I've degraded myself.
The priest at the temple took mercy
I've stayed with him for the last few days
The Apothecary is a rascal!
For 3 years, I paid for his marijuana
And this is how he pays me back! Ingrate! Did everything possible...
to ensure that I get a bad name.
Were you not so chaste...
I don't know where I would've gone hiding, God knows
When my son returns, what is to become of me?
You are chaste, truly chaste.
You saved your honour and my dignity
What was he getting even for?
Hush, forget everything.
It was a bad dream, now it's over
Still, I'm a sinner, I am a sinner. - No, you mustn't speak like that
I'll go to the temple every day. It's so peaceful
Today I won't eat lunch. I'm fasting for a ritual at the temple
You have your meals and stuff.
I'll eat only tonight.
Make sure you sprinkle sacred water to sanctify the home
I'll get consecrated water. I'll also bring home the oblations
You can have it too.
I've sent a letter to Kolkata
Sitaram will be here soon
I'll observe a fast too.
Had I known, I wouldn't have had my morning tea
Here Bisram, consecrated water. Have you taken the offerings?
Yes. - Is there anything else you want?
No, thanks
Aunt! Welcome
You cleaned the home up?
Yes, I did a thorough job
My husband is coming from Kolkata.
Wonderful! I mailed your father too
He too will be here soon. Here, keep your addresses
How is Bisram? - My father-in-law is a wonderful man
Actually, he was unwell. Someone gave him a wrong drug
But nowadays, he visits the temple regularly, performs rituals
Why the temple? - I told him to do the ritual at home
But... anyway, when my husband returns..
..I'll do some rites at home
You must come. - Sure
Got it? - Here's your opium
And here is the rest of the money.
Here. - Hold this
This too
Here. Go and enjoy yourself.
Well Saraswati, fresh fish? - Yes
Pack five Rupees' worth
You look elated, what gives? - I was fasting for a ritual
I am just back from the rituals.
I don't see you nowadays? - I'm more involved with religion now
Wonderful!
So clean and pure. You are truly chaste. Don't refuse.
Here's the sacred water. Wash your hands and feet..
..before you sprinkle it all over. Then take the oblations - Yes.
The other is consecrated water. You can drink all of it
I had my share at the temple. And that's offering I made
I've observed the fast too. - All day?
Well drink the consecrated water before the milk in it curdles
Fill a pipe for me. Haven't smoked a pipe all day. I'll sit outside
Who...?
Salutations.
Bisram, you...? So early?
You just went home last evening
You're back at dawn? - I was here all night
I couldn't bear to leave The Lord's temple
I was so restless. I gave the oblations to my daughter-in-law
But I couldn't sleep. Then in a daze I had a horrible vision
The Goddess of Plenty stood in my house, all adorned in gold
Suddenly a dark horrible she-witch appears and the Goddess disappears
And what's left is pitch dark.
I was startled awake...
and I felt a forbidding shadow wafting past my house...
and vanishing into the dark. Ever since I've been despairing
What might the dream signify?
I think the marijuana has gone to your head
That's why you are restless.
Don't worry, I'll think about it when I meditate?
Go home. - No, let me stay on
I'll leave after the morning prayers. - Not before ten in the morning
It will be 9/10.
It's so peaceful here. - As you wish
I'm going to the jungle.
Hey Jageshwar! Uncle Hari...
I'm undone
The bitch! She has robbed me! Escaped with everything
Who...? - Who ran away? - Go and tell Bodhan Mahto.
What's left to happen?
The bitch has disgraced me
Go and call Bodhan Mahto.
Never expected the daughter-in-law to play such a game!
Dug out all the jewellery! The shovel is still lying there
Jewellery apart, 50 silver coins and a gold coin too
Cleaned the place up! Come in, I'll show you
Let's see. - Come... look at this.
Here. The whole house is ruined.
Hey, brother, look here, - She has taken everything.
Yes. - What happened.
I hurt my leg.
Look out for the bones and walk. - What a horrible woman
Look, beedi-ends
Looks like a whole night of debauchery
Look, empty booze bottle! And the walls, splashed wet
Fish bones strewn all over, and look, beedi butts
While the poor father-in-law is performing a ritual in the temple...
this was going on here. Never was such sin perpetrated
Poor Bisram, he brought home a whore
Oh God!
When she lived with her father, there was a tale about her every day
Such tales! If I started talking, it'd read like an epic
I kept mum because of my dignity. But what's left to be hidden now?
There was a truck driver. She went picnicking with him
And there was a boy who took her to the fair
And an overseer. Gave her jewellery
I thought if I took her away it'd all be over. Never in my dreams...
did I imagine they'd come here.
God knows who it was
Had she eloped from her father's, this village and I...
we wouldn't be disgraced. - Someone disgraces us and get away?
Bisram's disgrace is our disgrace. - Are we to remain spectators?
Never! - Where might she be?
Where can she go? She must be around. - Not if she has eloped
She'd use a bus or a train to escape.
If she took last night's train...
we've lost her. If she's trying to take the train at ten...
she'll surely be caught, no escape! Come on boys, to the station
Come on, quick! - Goodness, such trespass
I'm going for the train. - You take the bus
Hurry. - Pedal hard
What happened? - Goodness! Look at this
The bed is soaked in kerosene
Look, the bed is soaked! And here are the matches
God! You saved me!
Had I not spent the night at the temple, I was dead
First time ever such a dangerous woman came to our village
And look at all the ugly gossip about Bisram...
about him eyeing his daughter-in-law. - Why didn't anyone react?
In their times, these gossip-mongers were inviting the whole village
Now they act righteous. - Poor Bisram
He was forced to make this hut for himself thanks to the taunts
Were it not for the gossip-mongers..
..Bisram wouldn't have been forced out
The girl wouldn't get a chance to make merry..
..and we wouldn't be disgraced
Lord, preserve me
I think the gossip-mongers had a hand in her escape. I think...
a search will unearth the money, jewellery and even the runaway bride
You're looking for her in the wrong place
Brother, the thing is this year the fish..
Is this train going to Kolkata? - Yes, sit
So I was telling you that these politicians..
Split up. - Yes, hurry
There
Over here, quick
There she is. - Get off the train
Why are you forcing her? Why are you taking her perforce?
Leave me! I'm not going.
I am not going!
Let me go!
Come! - Let me go. I am not coming.
Uncle Bisram...
Bimli has been caught. In the train, she was getting away
She dare not set foot into my house, the bitch
Stop
Wanton woman! She's tainted. My doors are shut for her, forever
Throw her out. - Yes, throw her out
Didn't get her lover? Who was with her?
There was no one else. - Must've been around
Young and whiskered! - Yes, a man in whiskers...
he even asked why we're taking her forcibly
That's him! The driver, the lover! Why didn't you get him?
We would've paraded the two of them all over the village
We forgot to pick up that one. - But no one told us
I say, convene the council.
Let the council decide how such a woman...
is to be punished. Take her out of my sight
Yes, let the council be convened. Bodhan Mahto is right here
Why not convene it tomorrow? - No, not tomorrow. Today
Bisram Chaudhari won't even let his..
..daughter-in-law enter his household
We must decide this woman's fate at the soonest
The council will meet after sundown. Till then, she stays here
In the open. Yes Chaudhari? Is that acceptable?
Yes
Where's my wife's jewellery? The money, the gold coins, where?
Tell me! Bitch! Where are they? - How dare you?
Cur! Lecher!
Don't you dare touch me ever again, I'll eat you alive
What are you doing? - Shut up.
Look at the attitude! How shameless, undignified
The bloody trucker has decamped with the money and the gold
And he raped her
Silly greenhorns! Didn't even think of taking the trucker
The sight of young flesh drives them nuts
Girls nowadays won't wait! As soon as they're born...
they want lovers! Age of sin
How long have you been seeing the driver?
Where did you hide him in the daytimes?
Convening the council is the right decision
We don't want our children to end up wayward
The council is convened
Speak up Chaudhari, what is the matter?
The girl appearing before the council is..
..my daughter-in-law. My misfortune
My son, her husband is away. I was in no hurry to bring her home
But what I heard of Bimli made me sick. I thought...
if she will leaves her parents' home, everything would be fine. So...
I brought her home. Then began the differences...
and my neighbours said, I am the wrongdoer. You must've heard
In deference to your wishes, I built a separate hut for myself
That's where I went wrong. Out of sight, out of control
This wasn't the first time that she ran away with that truck driver
She robbed me of my wife's jewellery but I don't care. God willing...
I'll buy gold again. But she has disgraced me
And she has given our village a bad name.
I pray...
may never the name of the village be tainted. Punish her, sternly
If I am in the wrong, not to spare me either
Yes my mistake, that I kept to religious and rituals
I couldn't keep an eye on my daughter-in-law
But I'm alive because of my faith, this I shall tell you. Else..
..my charred corpse would've been lying right here
Present Bisram's daughter-in-law before the council
Remember, you are standing before the council, before God
No one is an enemy, no one is friend.
You must speak only the truth
And you shall swear by God. Do you accept?
With whom did you elope? - With no one. I left alone
Why?
I wanted to travel to Kolkata. To my husband
Why were you carrying your jewellery and your money?
And where is the jewellery? - I took no jewellery, no money
All that is a lie. - Really, a lie?
Last night, there was someone with you inside that house
And he ate fish and he drank, are those lies?
No. That's true.
Oh God.
You went to Bisram's bed carrying a bottle of kerosene and matches
Is that a lie? - No, true
You wanted to burn Bisram alive to erase any trace of your debauchery
Is that a lie too? - Yes lies! Absolutely false
The man who drank and ate fish..
..the man who ravaged me last night...
he was the beast! My father-in-law! I wanted to burn him alive
But he escaped.
But I won't let him get away, I'm going to eat him alive
What are you doing?
Leave me.
I have a request. The temple priest is here, you can ask him
Until six last the evening, I sat hearing the discourses
Then I went home, I ate dinner, I went out for a stroll...
and then around 10:30, I went back to the temple, to sleep
The priest got up around 5:30, he found me asleep in the temple
When did I ravage her? When did I cook fish?
She locks herself in at bedtimes. How did I open the door?
Yes. - And if all this was happening, why didn't she scream?
Well priest? - Bisram is right
He stayed at the temple overnight.
I saw him. If he left the temple...
it must've been for only a few hours.
You lock yourself in at bedtimes
Bisram stays outside. Then how did he get in?
Last night he came with oblations. I was observing a fast
I drank only the consecrated water, a few glasses. I felt dizzy
I don't know when I fell asleep. I don't even remember whether...
I locked the door from inside. - Strange! Even when...
you were being subjected to the crime, you didn't come around?
I was in a swoon, I couldn't open my eyes
I had no strength left, as if I was intoxicated
Is that believable? - Not at all
Is this believable? While it's being done to a woman...
she doesn't even awaken? I never heard a statement as novel as that
Aren't you the one who sells fish fries, Saraswati?
What else? For years he has been buying from me. Yesterday too
Then why don't you say it? - Shut up, why are you concerned?
Why shouldn't I be concerned? Get up, tell them Saraswati
What use? Who will take my word?
Then they'll ask me how long I've been cooking for Bisram
And they'll ban me from my trade. - And your affair with Bisram outs
Why don't you talk of your affairs?
Bimli is telling the truth
Bisram bought the fish from Saraswati. The booze, the beedies
It's all his doing. Bisram is a known offender
Who doesn't know of his affair with Saraswati? He's a scoundrel
Whose woman is that?
Sit, sit
How can a woman talk without being asked?
Can you do whatever you like?
Who is her husband? - Are you trying to be the village elder?
Sit, sit down. - I won't! I'm going to speak
Leave me. - Sit!
No, she speaks the truth
She is this woman who led my daughter-in-law astray
She was the one who incited the villagers against me
I was forced to build a separate hut for myself
Ask my daughter-in-law whether the tale of the driver is a lie
Kuisa the overseer gave her jewellery, is that a lie?
Going to the fairs with the tractor-driver. Is that a lie?
All lies. The driver visited the kiln on business. I cooked for him
There was nothing more to it. Billar drove the tractor
Yes, I went to the fair on his tractor. But not alone
The other women from the kiln went too. And Kuisa isn't married
He wanted to marry, just about anyone. Whether or not...
he struck a deal with my father, I don't know. I wasn't consulted
And all my jewellery is hard-earned! Tell this lowly cur...
he was the one who raped his son's wife. No one else
Ma, when do they distribute sweets? - Once the meeting is over. Sit
Bisram's daughter-in-law may be taken away
We have arrived at the decision that whatever be the case...
Bimli had already earned a bad name for herself. That's proven
Her statement about going to bed without locking the door...
and her inability to awaken despite all that happened to her...
isn't worth believing, not at all
Even if it is granted that she slept through it...
why didn't she complain the next morning, why did she run?
About the fish, where did Bisram get the fish? All day...
he was at the temple, like the priest just said
The jewellery was dug out, wasn't it? If it wasn't found on Bimli...
clearly there was an accomplice who decamped with the jewellery
Clearly..
..the allegations levelled by daughter-in-law on father-in-law...
are completely baseless. The truth is...
the woman called in her lover under cover of the night...
they drank together, they ate fish...
copulated, dug out the jewellery, and on their way out...
she wanted to burn her father-in-law alive...
so as not to spare anyone who might come after her
No, those are all lies
Now sit quietly
Now we consider her punishment. - The sacred texts prescribe...
severe punishment. Small errors were punished by amputation
Punishing by inserting ground red chillies is also suggested
She might also atone by submitting to a celibate
If the council wishes to give her a chance to correct herself...
she may be consigned to clean the temple premises for 6 months
The priest shows his true colours
This won't do. It must be something like solitary confinement
Yes... - Something like that. Yes it should be that.
Listen, listen. Stop joking.
The crime is very grave. You mustn't crack jokes about this
One who has disgraced the village, brought us to dishonour...
such a woman cannot be allowed to go untainted
This might end up in a police case, but we'll contribute to fight it
But the tainted woman will be branded..
..as an example for society
Now the question is where she is to be branded
This woman has deceived her husband
That which woman must protect even at the cost of her life...
she has squandered over booze, given to a stranger
This is unpardonable
No amputations, no solitary confinement
On that part of her body which she can neither show nor speak of...
she must be branded. The punishment for deceiving her husband is...
being branded where the mark of matrimony is preserved...
and be tainted for life
The council avers that now, before this council...
she is to be branded with iron red hot...
and Bisram's punishment is to carry out the sentence...
for failing to take care of his daughter-in-law
This is injustice! Bisram ought to be branded. Also Bodhan
Why did Bodhan's brother's widow jump into a well?
Why in ten years haven't people asked that?
And why Saraswati never married? And what she has to do with Bisram?
If the women speak out, all these elderly gentlemen will stand naked
And there are hundreds of instances of Bisram's misdemeanours
And this Bisram will brand Bimli and that Bodhan is the judge?
Is this justice? I ask you, isn't the council unjust?
No, I don't accept this judgement. The council is blind, deaf
This council represents no God
I spit upon this council
Let me see who brands me
What's going on? Have the men become eunuchs?
A woman insults the council and everyone sits mum?
Is this a village of eunuchs? Get that bitch
Get her! Get her!
She commits adultery..
..disgraces the village, now she insults the council?
Let me go!
Hold her! Don't let her escape.
Bisram, brand the sinner
No!
Look, sin being done again
A woman is being shamed in public
You talk again? What is she? Some queen? Shut up
No, no!
Leave me
No!
No, no, no!
Knowing a woman's character is impossible
It is not easy to know a woman's character and it is man's destiny.
Yes.