ANAHAAT (ETERNITY)
India/2003/90 min/35mm

Director: Amol Palekar
Producers: Rohit Sharma, Amol Palekar
Screenwritesr: Sandhya Gokhale, Sameer Kulkarni
Cinematographer: Debu Deodhar
Production Design: Sandhya Gokhale
Editor: Zafar Sultan
Sound Editor: Narinder Singh
Music: Uday Bhawalkar
Cast: Anant Nag, Deepti Naval, Sonali Bendre

This period drama, based on a play by Surendra Verma, unfolds during an emotionally charged 24 hours. Set in the 10th century, it is the story of the impotent King of Malla and his lovely Queen Sheelavathi, and centers on their heart-wrenching decision to abide by the Niyog custom. If a married woman's husband was impotent, Niyog -- which dates back to the 6th century -- was the practice of selecting her a mate for the sole purpose of producing an heir.

We witness the emotional turmoil of the King and Queen through flashbacks and their deeply personal conversations with the royal maid (who is also the King's childhood friend) as she moves between the couple with the air of a gentle alter ego. The costumes and cinematography, in their earthy and muted tones, create a canvas that is beautiful to look at and evokes the somber mood of the story.

Eloquently scripted, this is a consummate love story and a journey of sexual awakening.

Marathi (English subtitles)

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