Antardwand
Encyclopedia
Antardwand is a 2010
Indian
film co-written, produced and directed by Sushil Rajpal. The film stars Raj Singh Chaudhary
and Swati Sen
in the leading roles while Vinay Pathak
and Akhilendra Mishra
play supporting roles. Made on a budget of , the film is based on the practice of groom kidnapping
that is seen in western Bihar
and eastern Uttar Pradesh
of India
. The film won the National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues
at the 2009 National Awards
. It had its commercial release on August 27, 2010.
man is abducted by a local strongman with the intention of forcing him to marry his daughter.
(FTII), always wanted to make movies on social issues and highlighting people’s agony. Because of his interest in photography, Rajpal specialized in cinematography
. He even forayed into the Hindi cinema industry by shooting Pradeep Sarkar
's Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
. During one of his interviews, he revealed his inspiration for his debut movie:
Groom kidnapping
is a practice that is common in the India
n states of western Bihar
and eastern Uttar Pradesh
. In this practice, eligible bachelors are abducted by a bride's family and forcefully married so that they can avoid paying high dowry
to the groom's family. The practice started becoming noticeable towards the late 20th century because the brides' families found it difficult to meet these demands. Organized gangs came forward to carry out these abductions as a solution to their problem.
For this film, he wanted to shoot real-life situations and cast actors who could speak with a local accent. The director's intention was to highlight the result of such forced marriage and the emotional damage that both the girl and the boy suffer from. Most parts of the movie have been shot in Bihar, the region where the issue of groom kidnapping is prevalent. Rajpal's roots from this region was of good help during the film's production.
The film does not have established actors, because Rajpal wanted people who looked real and could deliver dialogs with a rural appeal. Actor Raj Singh Chaudhary
, who earlier featured in Anurag Kashyap
's Gulaal
, plays the male lead. Until he read the script, Chaudhary thought that he had seen it all. It was only after reading it, he realized that incidents like these happen after all. Swati Sen, an FTII graduate, debuted as an actor by portraying the female protagonist in this film. Vinay Pathak
and Akhilendra Mishra
were chosen to play the supporting roles. Besides actors Sen and Mishra, nearly 85% of the cast hailed from Bihar.
at the 2009 National Awards
. It was because of this award, PVR Pictures
decided to distribute the film commercially. In a show of support, directors Anurag Kashyap
, Imtiaz Ali
and Rajkumar Hirani
promoted the film's commercial release. Ali saw this film even before it won the National Award. He not only enjoyed watching the film, but also felt happy that it highlighted the issue of groom kidnapping. On the other hand, director Hirani praised Rajpal's directorial debut by saying that the film looked realistic.
In her review, Nikhat Kazmi
of The Times of India
spoke high about the novelty of the plot and added that director Rajpal has told the story with "authenticity and a touch of high drama that keeps you glued to your seats." While summarizing, Kazmi appreciated the performances of the entire cast and said that the film deserved to win the National Award. Taran Adarsh
applauded the first-time director for handling a number of sequences with great elan. He not only speaks high about the realism of the plot, but also about the filming locations. Adarsh also held high regards for the performances of the entire cast. On similar lines, the film earned generally good reviews.
2010 in film
The year 2010 saw many new films released worldwide. 2010 saw a dramatic increase and prominence in the use of 3D-technology in filmmaking and film releases after the success of Avatar in the format, with releases such as Alice in Wonderland, Clash of the Titans, Jackass 3D, all animated films and...
Indian
Cinema of India
The cinema of India consists of films produced across India, which includes the cinematic culture of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Indian films came to be followed throughout South Asia and...
film co-written, produced and directed by Sushil Rajpal. The film stars Raj Singh Chaudhary
Raj Singh Chaudhary
Raj Singh Chaudhary is an Indian actor, screenwriter and model best known for his role in the 2009 Hindi-language film, Gulaal. He has appeared in various other films such as Kuch Naa Kaho and Black Friday and as a lead in Antardwand...
and Swati Sen
Swati Sen
Swati Sen is an Indian film actress born in Patna, Bihar, most known for her roles in Udedh Bun , which won the Silver Bear for Best Short Film at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival, and the National Film Award-winning Antardwand , which won her critical acclaim.-Early life and...
in the leading roles while Vinay Pathak
Vinay Pathak
Vinay Pathak is an Indian actor and a theatre person born and raised in Bhojpur, Bihar. He is known for his great Comic timing and as a revolution in Indian Cinema along with Ranvir Shorey, Rajat Kapur, Abhay Deol, who are tagged as actors of a new genre...
and Akhilendra Mishra
Akhilendra Mishra
Akhilendra Mishra is an Indian film and television character actor. He hails from Magadh, Bihar. He generally plays negative roles and is famous for his work as Kroor Singh in the 1990s Doordarshan fantasy television series Chandrakanta, and Mirchi Seth in the 1999 Bollywood film Sarfarosh.He...
play supporting roles. Made on a budget of , the film is based on the practice of groom kidnapping
Groom kidnapping
Groom kidnapping, colloquially known as Pakaruah shaadi or Jabaria shaadi, is a phenomenon common in parts of Bihar, and eastern Uttar Pradesh states in India, wherein eligible bachelors are abducted by the bride's family and later forcefully married, to avoid heavy dowry costs. Considering the...
that is seen in western Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
and eastern Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The film won the National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues
National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues
The National Film Award - Best Film on Other Social Issues winners:...
at the 2009 National Awards
National Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
. It had its commercial release on August 27, 2010.
Plot
An aspiring IASIndian Administrative Service
The Indian Administrative Service is the administrative civil service of the Government of India. It is one of the three All India Services....
man is abducted by a local strongman with the intention of forcing him to marry his daughter.
Cast
- Raj Singh ChaudharyRaj Singh ChaudharyRaj Singh Chaudhary is an Indian actor, screenwriter and model best known for his role in the 2009 Hindi-language film, Gulaal. He has appeared in various other films such as Kuch Naa Kaho and Black Friday and as a lead in Antardwand...
- Raghuveer - Swati SenSwati SenSwati Sen is an Indian film actress born in Patna, Bihar, most known for her roles in Udedh Bun , which won the Silver Bear for Best Short Film at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival, and the National Film Award-winning Antardwand , which won her critical acclaim.-Early life and...
- Vinay PathakVinay PathakVinay Pathak is an Indian actor and a theatre person born and raised in Bhojpur, Bihar. He is known for his great Comic timing and as a revolution in Indian Cinema along with Ranvir Shorey, Rajat Kapur, Abhay Deol, who are tagged as actors of a new genre...
- Akhilendra MishraAkhilendra MishraAkhilendra Mishra is an Indian film and television character actor. He hails from Magadh, Bihar. He generally plays negative roles and is famous for his work as Kroor Singh in the 1990s Doordarshan fantasy television series Chandrakanta, and Mirchi Seth in the 1999 Bollywood film Sarfarosh.He...
Production
Sushil Rajpal, who graduated from the Film and Television Institute of IndiaFilm and Television Institute of India
Film and Television Institute of India , is an autonomous Institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. It is fully aided by Central Government of India. It is situated in the premises of the erstwhile Prabhat Film Company in Pune, India...
(FTII), always wanted to make movies on social issues and highlighting people’s agony. Because of his interest in photography, Rajpal specialized in cinematography
Cinematography
Cinematography is the making of lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for cinema. It is closely related to the art of still photography...
. He even forayed into the Hindi cinema industry by shooting Pradeep Sarkar
Pradeep Sarkar
Pradeep Sakar is a writer and director who works in the Bollywood industry.He began his career with Vinod Chopra Productions, the production company of acclaimed director Vidhu Vinod Chopra....
's Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - Journey Of A Woman is a 2007 Bollywood film directed by Pradeep Sarkar and starring Jaya Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kunal Kapoor and Anupam Kher with special appearances by Abhishek Bachchan and Hema Malini...
. During one of his interviews, he revealed his inspiration for his debut movie:
The movie is based on real life story of one of my close friends who was abducted at Barhariya in BegusaraiBegusaraiBegusarai is a city and a municipal council in Begusarai district in the state of Bihar, India. Begusarai had traditionally been a communist stronghold and it was earlier also referred to as the Leningrad of Bihar.- Recent history :...
district of Bihar and was later forced to marry a girl against his wishes.
Groom kidnapping
Groom kidnapping
Groom kidnapping, colloquially known as Pakaruah shaadi or Jabaria shaadi, is a phenomenon common in parts of Bihar, and eastern Uttar Pradesh states in India, wherein eligible bachelors are abducted by the bride's family and later forcefully married, to avoid heavy dowry costs. Considering the...
is a practice that is common in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n states of western Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
and eastern Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
. In this practice, eligible bachelors are abducted by a bride's family and forcefully married so that they can avoid paying high dowry
Dowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
to the groom's family. The practice started becoming noticeable towards the late 20th century because the brides' families found it difficult to meet these demands. Organized gangs came forward to carry out these abductions as a solution to their problem.
For this film, he wanted to shoot real-life situations and cast actors who could speak with a local accent. The director's intention was to highlight the result of such forced marriage and the emotional damage that both the girl and the boy suffer from. Most parts of the movie have been shot in Bihar, the region where the issue of groom kidnapping is prevalent. Rajpal's roots from this region was of good help during the film's production.
The film does not have established actors, because Rajpal wanted people who looked real and could deliver dialogs with a rural appeal. Actor Raj Singh Chaudhary
Raj Singh Chaudhary
Raj Singh Chaudhary is an Indian actor, screenwriter and model best known for his role in the 2009 Hindi-language film, Gulaal. He has appeared in various other films such as Kuch Naa Kaho and Black Friday and as a lead in Antardwand...
, who earlier featured in Anurag Kashyap
Anurag Kashyap
Anurag Singh Kashyap is an Indian film director and screenwriter. As a director, he is known for Black Friday , a controversial and award-winning Hindi film about the 1993 Bombay bombings, followed by No Smoking , Dev D and Gulaal...
's Gulaal
Gulaal
Gulaal is a 2009 Indian film directed by Anurag Kashyap and starring Kay Kay Menon, Raj Singh Chaudhary, Abhimanyu Singh, Deepak Dobriyal, Ayesha Mohan, Jesse Randhawa, Piyush Mishra and Aditya Srivastava. The film explores themes such as pursuit of power, quest for legitimacy, perceived...
, plays the male lead. Until he read the script, Chaudhary thought that he had seen it all. It was only after reading it, he realized that incidents like these happen after all. Swati Sen, an FTII graduate, debuted as an actor by portraying the female protagonist in this film. Vinay Pathak
Vinay Pathak
Vinay Pathak is an Indian actor and a theatre person born and raised in Bhojpur, Bihar. He is known for his great Comic timing and as a revolution in Indian Cinema along with Ranvir Shorey, Rajat Kapur, Abhay Deol, who are tagged as actors of a new genre...
and Akhilendra Mishra
Akhilendra Mishra
Akhilendra Mishra is an Indian film and television character actor. He hails from Magadh, Bihar. He generally plays negative roles and is famous for his work as Kroor Singh in the 1990s Doordarshan fantasy television series Chandrakanta, and Mirchi Seth in the 1999 Bollywood film Sarfarosh.He...
were chosen to play the supporting roles. Besides actors Sen and Mishra, nearly 85% of the cast hailed from Bihar.
Critical reception
The film won the National Film Award for Best Film on Social IssuesNational Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues
The National Film Award - Best Film on Other Social Issues winners:...
at the 2009 National Awards
National Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
. It was because of this award, PVR Pictures
PVR Pictures
PVR Pictures is the flagship film production and distribution arm of PVR Group. It is a subsidiary of PVR Limited, which holds 60% shareholding in the subsidiary with the balance 40% stake held by JP Morgan Mauritius Holding Ltd and ICICI Venture in equal proportion.PVR Pictures film production...
decided to distribute the film commercially. In a show of support, directors Anurag Kashyap
Anurag Kashyap
Anurag Singh Kashyap is an Indian film director and screenwriter. As a director, he is known for Black Friday , a controversial and award-winning Hindi film about the 1993 Bombay bombings, followed by No Smoking , Dev D and Gulaal...
, Imtiaz Ali
Imtiaz Ali
Imtiaz Ali is a former West Indian cricketer who played in one Test against India in 1976....
and Rajkumar Hirani
Rajkumar Hirani
Rajkumar Hirani is a National Award and Filmfare Award winning Indian director, screenwriter and film editor of Hindi films, best known for the films Munna Bhai MBBS , Lage Raho Munnabhai and 3 Idiots , considered the highest-grossing Hindi film by distributor-share.-Early life and...
promoted the film's commercial release. Ali saw this film even before it won the National Award. He not only enjoyed watching the film, but also felt happy that it highlighted the issue of groom kidnapping. On the other hand, director Hirani praised Rajpal's directorial debut by saying that the film looked realistic.
In her review, Nikhat Kazmi
Nikhat Kazmi
Nikhat Kazmi is a senior correspondent and well-known film critic from India, who has been writing for The Times of India, since 1987.-Books:* If Shakespeare was a gun: a play. Writers Workshop, 1984....
of The Times of India
The Times of India
The Times of India is an Indian English-language daily newspaper. TOI has the largest circulation among all English-language newspaper in the world, across all formats . It is owned and managed by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd...
spoke high about the novelty of the plot and added that director Rajpal has told the story with "authenticity and a touch of high drama that keeps you glued to your seats." While summarizing, Kazmi appreciated the performances of the entire cast and said that the film deserved to win the National Award. Taran Adarsh
Taran Adarsh
Taran Adarsh is an Indian film critic, journalist, editor and film trade analyst. He is also a former producer and screenwriter. He is the son of film director and producer, B.K. Adarsh....
applauded the first-time director for handling a number of sequences with great elan. He not only speaks high about the realism of the plot, but also about the filming locations. Adarsh also held high regards for the performances of the entire cast. On similar lines, the film earned generally good reviews.
External links
- Antardwand at Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...